University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs Northwestern University: which has better ROI?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,420 in 1.8 years versus 2.8 years at Northwestern University, on median earnings of $81,054 vs $89,363 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Northwestern University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,355 | $29,167 |
| Total net cost | $57,420 | $116,668 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $81,054 | $89,363 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $15,000 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 2.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $596,460 | $703,392 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Northwestern University?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, at $14,355 a year after aid versus $29,167 — a gap of $14,812 a year, or $59,248 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 Urbana-Champaign or Northwestern University graduates earn more?
Northwestern University graduates report a median $89,363 ten years after entry, $8,309 more than the $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 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 Urbana-Champaign or Northwestern University?
Northwestern University: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
95% of students finish at Northwestern University, against 85% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 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.