Blackburn College
Blackburn College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Blackburn College at a Glance
Blackburn College is a private college in Carlinville, Illinois. It was established in 1837 and named for Gideon Blackburn. The college is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).
1837
189 years old
382
Identity
Is Blackburn College Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Blackburn College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $46,802 — 13% below average — while paying $18,460/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 55% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $24,242 representing 52% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Blackburn College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Blackburn College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #15 of 72 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary | 100 | $3,822 | $36,442 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | Emmaus Bible College | 66 | $13,186 | $42,631 |
| #4 | Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'spinka | 52 | $5,646 | $36,545 |
| #5 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #6 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #15 | Blackburn College | 35 | $18,460 | $46,802 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Blackburn College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Blackburn College
The highest-earning program at Blackburn College is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $34,700/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate from Blackburn College earns $34,700, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $34,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,460/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $34,700 | $34,700 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Carlinville, IL
- Student Body
- 471 students
- Admission Rate
- 63%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,460
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,802
- Median Student Debt
- $24,242