University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 1.8 years at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, on median earnings of $91,885 vs $81,054 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University of Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,355 | $14,860 |
| Total net cost | $57,420 | $59,440 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $81,054 | $91,885 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $15,000 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $596,460 | $811,060 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or University of Chicago?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, at $14,355 a year after aid versus $14,860 — a gap of $505 a year, or $2,020 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 University of Chicago graduates earn more?
University of Chicago graduates report a median $91,885 ten years after entry, $10,831 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 University of Chicago?
University of Chicago: 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?
96% of students finish at University of Chicago, 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.