Head-to-Head Analysis
This analysis was generated using Azimuth's proprietary framework. Our data model transforms federal education data into actionable insights. Learn about founder Daniel Rogers, explore our research methodology, or see how we think about this data.
Updated January 2026 • Carlinville, IL & Sterling, KS
When students choose between Blackburn College in Illinois and Sterling College in Kansas, they're comparing two small private colleges with similar missions but dramatically different completion outcomes. Both charge around $22,000/year in net price and serve predominantly first-generation college students.
The critical difference: Blackburn graduates 52% of students while Sterling graduates just 29%. This 23-percentage point gap transforms the real cost equation for families making this investment.
Median Student Debt at Graduation
$24,242
federal loans
$24,625
federal loans
Median Parent PLUS Loans
$22,107
borrowed by parents
$24,508
borrowed by parents
Blackburn is predominantly business-focused, with 19% of graduates earning degrees in business fields, followed by 13% in education and 10% in arts. Sterling emphasizes health programs alongside sports and kinesiology, with 14% in arts and 13% in business programs.
Blackburn's largest programs include Business Administration (13 graduates) and Criminal Justice (13 graduates). Sterling's top program is Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education (15 graduates).
Both schools offer similar liberal arts breadth despite different program emphases.
For students prioritizing completion likelihood, Blackburn delivers significantly better outcomes with a 52% graduation rate compared to Sterling's 29%. Sterling offers strength in health and kinesiology programs, making it the better choice for students specifically drawn to those fields who are confident in their ability to persist.
The data points to Blackburn as the safer investment — but the right choice depends on your program interests, support systems, and confidence in completing your degree. If graduation risk concerns you, Blackburn provides much better odds of actually finishing your education and reaching those median earnings.
Key Takeaway
The numbers are close, but the best school depends on your goals, values, and career aspirations.
This comparison was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
This comparison uses Azimuth's proprietary ROI model based on U.S. Dept. of Education data. View Full Methodology.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid.
