Carl Sandburg College vs. Oakton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, IL with Oakton College in Des Plaines, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oakton College is larger than Carl Sandburg College based on total student enrollment (8,329 students vs. 1,603 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carl Sandburg College is located in Galesburg, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Oakton College is in Des Plaines, IL (Small City setting).
• Carl Sandburg College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Oakton College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carl Sandburg College 15:1; Oakton College 14:1.

Carl Sandburg College vs. Oakton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carl Sandburg College or Oakton College? 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 Carl Sandburg College than Oakton College ($5,374 vs. $5,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carl Sandburg College are 12.4% lower than at Oakton College ($7,875 vs. $8,994).
• Oakton College is 30.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carl Sandburg College (about $2,446 more per year; $10,446.00 vs. $8,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40% higher at Oakton College than at Carl Sandburg College (about $3,562 more per year; $12,462.00 vs. $8,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carl Sandburg College than at Oakton College (94% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carl Sandburg College students is 36.3% larger than aid received by Oakton College students ($8,296 vs. $6,085).

Carl Sandburg College vs. Oakton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carl Sandburg College or Oakton College? 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 Oakton College and Carl Sandburg College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carl Sandburg College - Open admission; Oakton College - Open admission.

Carl Sandburg College vs. Oakton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carl Sandburg College and Oakton College? 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).

• Graduates from Oakton College earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Carl Sandburg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carl Sandburg College graduates have a $1,423 lower median loan debt than Oakton College graduates ($4,444 vs. $5,867).
• Among borrowers, Carl Sandburg College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakton College graduates ($45 vs. $60).
• More Carl Sandburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakton College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 55%)

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.