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Generations College

Private nonprofit Chicago, IL · Urban · Great Lakes · 87% data
C Diversity C- Affordability D+ Earnings
Graduation Rate
9% F
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$34,706 D+
Below average for college graduates
Net Price
$18,894 C-
Close to the national average
Enrollment
310
Earnings -15% vs avg
Graduation -84% vs avg
Net Price 10% vs avg

Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 10.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $10.3 over 20 years.

10.3× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $10.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $701,828.

What The Data Says

  1. A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Graduation of 9% — 84% below the national average.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $10.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Generations College

Generations College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private College
Carnegie Class
Associate's College
Enrollment
310
Setting
Urban
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Legal Studies, Criminal Justice

Why students choose Generations College

Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

D+
Top 70% overall
D+
Earnings
$34,706 median
D+
Value
1.8× net price
C-
Affordability
$18,894/yr net
F
Graduation
9% graduate
C
Diversity
0.56 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

Only 9% of students graduate from Generations College in Chicago. This low graduation rate raises questions for prospective students looking for reliable pathways to degree completion. With an enrollment of just 310 students, the college has a tight-knit community, but the challenge of finishing a program remains significant.

The earnings data shows that graduates earn a median of $34,706 a decade after starting their studies. While this figure does not reflect high income potential, it hints at the college’s role in serving students from low-income backgrounds, as evidenced by a 70% Pell Grant rate. However, without mobility data, it's hard to assess how well this college helps students improve their socioeconomic status over time.

From a financial perspective, the net price of attendance sits at $18,894, with a median debt of $25,250. Students should consider the return on investment when weighing their options. Those who thrive here are likely individuals seeking close community engagement and support, particularly in fields like Business & Marketing, Legal Studies, or Criminal Justice.

Can I Get In?

How selective Generations College is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Generations College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Generations College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 9%.

Retention Rate
26%
Full-Time Faculty
24%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$4,896
Student–Faculty Ratio
25:1
Diversity Index
0.56
First-Gen Students
56%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Generations College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Generations College is $12,700, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,894. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,723 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,250 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$12,700
Out-of-State
$12,700
Avg Net Price
$18,894
Median Debt
$25,250
Pell Grant Rate
70%
Federal Loan Rate
23%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$18,723
Family Income $30K–$48K
$19,710

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Generations College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Generations College report median earnings of $34,706, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$31,406
8 Years
$36,764
10 Years
$34,706
Debt-to-Earnings
0.73x
Earning > $25K
41%

Earnings Trajectory

$31,406 6yr $36,764 8yr $34,706 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (2)
7%
100% (2)
7%
100% (2)
7%
100% (2)
7%

How Generations Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation9%Earnings 10yr$35KNet Price$19KRetention26%Median Debt$25KPell Grant Rate70%

College ROI Calculator

Is Generations College Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Generations College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,894/year ($75,576 total). Graduates earn $34,706 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $777,404 in total earnings — a net gain of $701,828 (10.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 9% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$75,576
Projected 20yr Earnings
$777,404
Net Return
$701,828
ROI Multiple
10.3×
Cost Per Year
$18,894
Median Debt
$25,250
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
9%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Top Programs

The fields Generations College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Generations College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Generations College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 9%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Generations College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Generations College is $12,700, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,894. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,723 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,250 in federal student loans.

Is Generations College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Generations College report median earnings of $34,706, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Generations College.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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