Cost & ROI · 2026
Is City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College worth it?
Pay $7,397/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $36,531 ten years out — about 4.9× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College vs Illinois avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Illinois college and the typical US college.
| Metric | City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College | Illinois avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $7,397 | $18,082 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $36,531 | $54,042 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $5,750 | $20,325 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 26.1% | 53.7% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | — | 72.7% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $58,904 over four years. Most students get $7,329/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $5,750 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 16% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College grad earns about -$338,760 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College
The average student at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College pays $7,397 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $14,726 published sticker price. That is below the IL average net price of $18,082.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $36,531 — below the IL median of $54,042. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $5,750, roughly $62 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 16% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Illinois colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College.
Deerfield, IL · Private Non-Profit Trinity International University-Illinois A+ 
Galesburg, IL · Public Carl Sandburg College A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $7,397 per year. That's $7,329/yr in financial aid against the $14,726 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $29,588.
How much do City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College graduates earn a median of $36,531 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 4.9× the annual net cost.
How much debt do City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $5,750 — about $62/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 2.3% of students take federal loans.
Is City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College a value grade of A — top 19% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $7,397/yr, earn $36,531/yr ten years out, ROI score of 12.35. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?
35.6% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 2.3% take federal student loans. On average, students get $7,329 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?
In-state tuition is $4,590 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $15,150 per year — a difference of $10,560/yr or $42,240 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $6,911. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $11,657. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →