Eastern Illinois University vs Illinois College: which has better ROI?
Eastern Illinois University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,144 in 14.1 years versus 17.4 years at Illinois College, on median earnings of $51,989 vs $52,575 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Eastern Illinois University | Illinois College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,786 | $18,298 |
| Total net cost | $51,144 | $73,192 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,989 | $52,575 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $25,565 |
| Payback | 14.1 yrs | 17.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $21,436 | $11,108 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Eastern Illinois University or Illinois College?
Eastern Illinois University, at $12,786 a year after aid versus $18,298 — a gap of $5,512 a year, or $22,048 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Eastern Illinois University or Illinois College graduates earn more?
Illinois College graduates report a median $52,575 ten years after entry, $586 more than the $51,989 at Eastern Illinois 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, Eastern Illinois University or Illinois College?
Eastern Illinois University: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $25,565 at Illinois College, a difference of $4,065. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at Illinois College, against 47% at Eastern Illinois 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.