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University of Illinois Springfield — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Springfield, IL · 2,263 students

The verdict

University of Illinois Springfield charges a net price of $9,833/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $39,332. Graduates earn a median $57,103 ten years after entry, $8,743/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.5 years — a 20-year net return of $135,528, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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University of Illinois Springfield's 4.5-year payback ranks #359 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 72% of them, and #11 of 116 in Illinois.

Better ROI than 72% of US colleges#359 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$9,833
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$57,103
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
4.5 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
86%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of Illinois Springfield: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$9,833/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$39,332our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$57,103Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$8,743/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$19,128Scorecard, 2026
Payback4.5 yrsour math
20-year net return$135,528our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

University of Illinois Springfield: frequently asked questions

Is University of Illinois Springfield worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of Illinois Springfield charges $9,833/yr after aid ($39,332 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $57,103 ten years out — $8,743/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 4.5 years and returns $135,528 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a University of Illinois Springfield degree take to pay off?
About 4.5 years. We divide the $39,332 four-year net cost by the $8,743/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of Illinois Springfield cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $9,833/yr — about $39,332 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of Illinois Springfield compare to other Illinois colleges?
It ranks #11 of 116 Illinois colleges we track by payback. Its $57,103 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $9,833 net price is below the national median of $16,906.