Head-to-head comparison
North Central College vs Methodist College: which has better ROI?
Option A Naperville, IL
North Central College
- Net price / year
- $21,044
- Earnings, 10 years
- $60,123
- Payback
- 7.2 yrs
Option B Peoria, IL
Methodist College
- Net price / year
- $41,787
- Earnings, 10 years
- $69,800
- Payback
- 7.8 yrs
North Central College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $84,176 in 7.2 years versus 7.8 years at Methodist College, on median earnings of $60,123 vs $69,800 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Central College | Methodist College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,044 | $41,787 |
| Total net cost | $84,176 | $167,148 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,123 | $69,800 |
| Median debt | $24,500 | $31,250 |
| Payback | 7.2 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $151,084 | $261,652 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, North Central College or Methodist College?
North Central College, at $21,044 a year after aid versus $41,787 — a gap of $20,743 a year, or $82,972 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 North Central College or Methodist College graduates earn more?
Methodist College graduates report a median $69,800 ten years after entry, $9,677 more than the $60,123 at North Central College. 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, North Central College or Methodist College?
North Central College: its completers carry a median $24,500 in federal loans versus $31,250 at Methodist College, a difference of $6,750. 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?
64% of students finish at North Central College, against 20% at Methodist College. 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.