University of Illinois Chicago vs Illinois Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
Illinois Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,700 in 2.2 years versus 2.2 years at University of Illinois Chicago, on median earnings of $82,592 vs $68,740 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Illinois Chicago | Illinois Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,974 | $18,425 |
| Total net cost | $43,896 | $73,700 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,740 | $82,592 |
| Median debt | $16,704 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | 2.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $363,704 | $610,940 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Illinois Chicago or Illinois Institute of Technology?
University of Illinois Chicago, at $10,974 a year after aid versus $18,425 — a gap of $7,451 a year, or $29,804 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 Illinois Chicago or Illinois Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Illinois Institute of Technology graduates report a median $82,592 ten years after entry, $13,852 more than the $68,740 at University of Illinois Chicago. 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 Illinois Chicago or Illinois Institute of Technology?
University of Illinois Chicago: its completers carry a median $16,704 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Illinois Institute of Technology, a difference of $8,296. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at Illinois Institute of Technology, against 62% at University of Illinois Chicago. 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.