Head-to-head comparison
McKendree University vs Judson University: which has better ROI?
Option A Lebanon, IL
McKendree University
- Net price / year
- $24,717
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,572
- Payback
- 9.7 yrs
Option B Elgin, IL
Judson University
- Net price / year
- $18,558
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,313
- Payback
- 9.3 yrs
Judson University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,232 in 9.3 years versus 9.7 years at McKendree University, on median earnings of $56,313 vs $58,572 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | McKendree University | Judson University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,717 | $18,558 |
| Total net cost | $98,868 | $74,232 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,572 | $56,313 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 9.7 yrs | 9.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $105,372 | $84,828 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, McKendree University or Judson University?
Judson University, at $18,558 a year after aid versus $24,717 — a gap of $6,159 a year, or $24,636 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do McKendree University or Judson University graduates earn more?
McKendree University graduates report a median $58,572 ten years after entry, $2,259 more than the $56,313 at Judson University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, McKendree University or Judson University?
McKendree University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Judson University, a difference of $1,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
60% of students finish at Judson University, against 53% at McKendree University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.