Blackburn College vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Chicago State University in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chicago State University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Chicago State University is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Chicago State University 9:1.

Blackburn College vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or CSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than Blackburn College ($10,441 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 14.2% lower than at Chicago State University ($9,915 vs. $11,550).
• Blackburn College is 120.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $15,395 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.7% higher at Blackburn College than at Chicago State University (about $15,395 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Chicago State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 6.9% larger than aid received by Chicago State University students ($19,456 vs. $18,194).

Blackburn College vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or CSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSU and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is 150 points higher than at CSU (860).
• Incoming Blackburn College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; CSU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at CSU (3.18).
• Blackburn College has a higher acceptance rate (63.2%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 3.8% at CSU.

Blackburn College vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and CSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($26,000 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($268 vs. $323).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.