University of Illinois Chicago vs University of Chicago: 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 University of Illinois Chicago, on median earnings of $91,885 vs $68,740 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Illinois Chicago | University of Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,974 | $14,860 |
| Total net cost | $43,896 | $59,440 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,740 | $91,885 |
| Median debt | $16,704 | $15,000 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | 1.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $363,704 | $811,060 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Illinois Chicago or University of Chicago?
University of Illinois Chicago, at $10,974 a year after aid versus $14,860 — a gap of $3,886 a year, or $15,544 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 University of Chicago graduates earn more?
University of Chicago graduates report a median $91,885 ten years after entry, $23,145 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 University of Chicago?
University of Chicago: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $16,704 at University of Illinois Chicago, a difference of $1,704. 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 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.