DeVry University-Illinois vs Chicago State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chicago State University comes closer — median earnings $42,778 against a $49,340 total, vs $45,987 at DeVry University-Illinois. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | DeVry University-Illinois | Chicago State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,770 | $12,335 |
| Total net cost | $123,080 | $49,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,987 | $42,778 |
| Median debt | $24,807 | $30,625 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$170,540 | -$160,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, DeVry University-Illinois or Chicago State University?
Chicago State University, at $12,335 a year after aid versus $30,770 — a gap of $18,435 a year, or $73,740 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do DeVry University-Illinois or Chicago State University graduates earn more?
DeVry University-Illinois graduates report a median $45,987 ten years after entry, $3,209 more than the $42,778 at Chicago State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, DeVry University-Illinois or Chicago State University?
DeVry University-Illinois: its completers carry a median $24,807 in federal loans versus $30,625 at Chicago State University, a difference of $5,818. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
37% of students finish at DeVry University-Illinois, against 15% at Chicago State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.