University of Chicago vs Illinois Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
University of Chicago has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $59,440 in 1.4 years versus 2.2 years at Illinois Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $91,885 vs $82,592 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Chicago | Illinois Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,860 | $18,425 |
| Total net cost | $59,440 | $73,700 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $91,885 | $82,592 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 2.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $811,060 | $610,940 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Chicago or Illinois Institute of Technology?
University of Chicago, at $14,860 a year after aid versus $18,425 — a gap of $3,565 a year, or $14,260 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Chicago or Illinois Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
University of Chicago graduates report a median $91,885 ten years after entry, $9,293 more than the $82,592 at Illinois Institute of Technology. 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, University of Chicago or Illinois Institute of Technology?
University of Chicago: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Illinois Institute of Technology, a difference of $10,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
96% of students finish at University of Chicago, against 75% at Illinois Institute of Technology. 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.