Students at Blackburn College benefit from exceptional access to higher education in a supportive, affordable environment designed for first-generation and Pell-eligible students.
The college's commitment to accessibility and community creates meaningful opportunities for students who value personal attention over maximum earnings potential.
Blackburn College is a small private nonprofit institution in Carlinville, Illinois, serving students who value personal attention and community-centered education. With 54% of students receiving Pell Grants and 44% being first-generation college students, Blackburn provides broad access to higher education for students from diverse economic backgrounds. The college maintains a strong commitment to affordability, with net prices ranging from about $19,146 for low-income families to $25,005 for higher-income households.
While Blackburn's graduates earn a median of $46,802 ten years after enrollment, the institution's primary strength lies in its accessibility and supportive environment rather than maximum earnings potential. The college's small size allows for individualized attention and mentorship opportunities that larger institutions cannot provide. Blackburn's work program, where all students participate in campus jobs, helps reduce costs while building practical skills and work experience.
For students seeking a tight-knit academic community with strong support systems, Blackburn College offers an intimate educational experience that prioritizes personal growth and community engagement. The institution serves as an important access point for students who might not otherwise pursue higher education, providing a foundation for career development and lifelong learning in a nurturing environment.
Blackburn College's small size and liberal arts focus mean that program-level data is limited, but the institution provides a broad-based education that prepares students for diverse career paths. The college's approach emphasizes foundational skills, critical thinking, and practical experience through its work program rather than specialization in high-earning technical fields. This educational model serves students who value personal growth, community engagement, and academic exploration over immediate financial returns.
The absence of detailed program-level earnings data reflects Blackburn's scale and mission rather than a lack of quality. Students benefit from small class sizes, close faculty relationships, and opportunities for leadership and involvement that larger institutions cannot provide. The college's graduates enter fields such as education, social services, business, and nonprofit work, where success is measured not only in earnings but also in community impact and personal fulfillment.
Blackburn's educational approach recognizes that career success takes many forms and that the skills developed through a liberal arts education—communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and ethical reasoning—provide a foundation for lifelong learning and career advancement. While immediate earnings may be modest, graduates are prepared for continued professional development and meaningful contributions to their communities and chosen fields.
Graduates of Blackburn College earn a median of $46,802 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution around the 42nd percentile nationally for long-term earnings. While these earnings are modest compared to larger research universities, they represent meaningful economic progress for the student population Blackburn serves. The college's graduates do see some earnings beyond expectations, with outcomes about $6,400 higher than similar students at comparable institutions, indicating that the education and support provided adds measurable value.
The small scale of Blackburn College means that program-level earnings data is limited, but the institution's liberal arts focus prepares students for diverse career paths across education, business, social services, and other fields. The college's work program, which requires all students to participate in campus employment, provides practical experience that complements classroom learning and helps students develop professional skills valued by employers.
While Blackburn may not produce the highest-earning graduates, the college serves an important role in providing educational access and career preparation for students from backgrounds that might not otherwise lead to college completion. The earnings outcomes, while modest, represent significant upward mobility for many graduates and provide a foundation for continued career growth and development over time.
Blackburn College demonstrates strong affordability across income levels, making higher education accessible to families with varying financial circumstances. Low-income students pay approximately $19,146 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $20,872, and higher-income households pay about $25,005. These net prices are competitive within the private college sector and reflect the institution's commitment to keeping education affordable through substantial financial aid.
The college's approach to affordability extends beyond tuition through its unique work program, where all students participate in campus employment to help offset educational costs. This program not only reduces the financial burden on families but also provides students with valuable work experience and practical skills. Federal student loan debt levels are manageable at about $24,242 for typical graduates, while Parent PLUS borrowing averages $15,188, reflecting the institution's efforts to keep overall debt burdens reasonable.
Blackburn's affordability model recognizes that many of its students come from families where college attendance is not a given. By maintaining accessible pricing and providing multiple pathways to reduce costs, the college ensures that financial barriers do not prevent motivated students from pursuing their educational goals and achieving meaningful career outcomes.
Blackburn College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
