Head-to-head comparison
Northeastern Illinois University vs Knox College: which has better ROI?
Option A Chicago, IL
Northeastern Illinois University
- Net price / year
- $14,109
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,234
- Payback
- 14.6 yrs
Option B Galesburg, IL
Knox College
- Net price / year
- $24,595
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,820
- Payback
- 15.2 yrs
Northeastern Illinois University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $56,436 in 14.6 years versus 15.2 years at Knox College, on median earnings of $52,234 vs $54,820 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Northeastern Illinois University | Knox College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,109 | $24,595 |
| Total net cost | $56,436 | $98,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,234 | $54,820 |
| Median debt | $14,600 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 14.6 yrs | 15.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $21,044 | $30,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Northeastern Illinois University or Knox College?
Northeastern Illinois University, at $14,109 a year after aid versus $24,595 — a gap of $10,486 a year, or $41,944 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 Northeastern Illinois University or Knox College graduates earn more?
Knox College graduates report a median $54,820 ten years after entry, $2,586 more than the $52,234 at Northeastern Illinois 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, Northeastern Illinois University or Knox College?
Northeastern Illinois University: its completers carry a median $14,600 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Knox College, a difference of $12,400. 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?
68% of students finish at Knox College, against 22% at Northeastern Illinois 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.