University of Illinois Chicago — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Illinois Chicago charges a net price of $10,974/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $43,896. Graduates earn a median $68,740 ten years after entry, $20,380/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.2 years — a 20-year net return of $363,704, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Illinois Chicago's 2.2-year payback ranks #99 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 92% of them, and #4 of 116 in Illinois.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $10,974/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $43,896 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $68,740 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $20,380/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $16,704 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $363,704 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Illinois Chicago's own numbers. Net price $10,974 × 4 years = $43,896 total. Median earnings $68,740 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $20,380 a year of premium. $43,896 ÷ $20,380 = 2.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $363,704. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Illinois Chicago students graduate with?
A median $16,704 in federal loans among completers, or 24% of the $68,740 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Illinois Chicago students graduate?
62% finish their degree — 38% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $43,896 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $70,800 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Illinois Chicago expensive compared with other Illinois colleges?
Its $10,974 net price runs $2,776 below the $13,750 median across the 116 Illinois colleges we profile, and $11,104 less across the full degree.