Head-to-head · 2026
Carl Sandburg College vs Trinity International University-Illinois
Compare average net price ($3,662 at Carl Sandburg College; $2,835 at Trinity International University-Illinois), ROI score (24.08 vs 41.44), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($35,274 vs $46,989), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Carl Sandburg College; 100% at Trinity International University-Illinois) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Carl Sandburg College | Trinity International University-Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 24.08 | 41.44 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,662 | $2,835 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $14,648 | $11,340 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,390 | $12,320 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,900 | $12,320 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $35,274 | $46,989 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 100% |
| Graduation rate | 50% ✓ | 46.1% |
| Retention rate | 62.5% ✓ | 12.5% |
| Median debt | $4,909 ✓ | $26,082 |
| Enrollment | 1,051 | 55 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Carl Sandburg College | Trinity International University-Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,014 ✓ | $1,242 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,025 ✓ | $13,991 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,074 | — |
| Family income $75–110k | $5,162 | — |
| Family income $110k+ | $6,012 | — |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Carl Sandburg College | Trinity International University-Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 62.3% | 0.9% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 4.1% | 0.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.6% | 3.5% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2.3% | 0.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 0.8% | 1.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Trinity International University-Illinois reports the lower average net price by $827 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,308 difference over four years ($11,340 vs $14,648).
Trinity International University-Illinois reports $11,715 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,989 vs $35,274). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 62.5% at Carl Sandburg College and 12.5% at Trinity International University-Illinois. Median federal debt among completers is $4,909 vs $26,082, respectively.
5 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Carl Sandburg College vs Trinity International University-Illinois, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Trinity International University-Illinois is cheaper — average net price $2,835 per year vs $3,662 at Carl Sandburg College. The annual difference of $827 adds up to about $3,308 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Trinity International University-Illinois reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,989 vs $35,274 at Carl Sandburg College. The gap in the federal data is $11,715. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.