University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs University of Illinois Chicago: 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 2.2 years at University of Illinois Chicago, on median earnings of $81,054 vs $68,740 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University of Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,355 | $10,974 |
| Total net cost | $57,420 | $43,896 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $81,054 | $68,740 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $16,704 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 2.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $596,460 | $363,704 |
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 Illinois Chicago?
University of Illinois Chicago, at $10,974 a year after aid versus $14,355 — a gap of $3,381 a year, or $13,524 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 Illinois Chicago graduates earn more?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates report a median $81,054 ten years after entry, $12,314 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 Urbana-Champaign or University of Illinois Chicago?
University of Illinois Chicago: its completers carry a median $16,704 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a difference of $2,796. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
85% of students finish at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 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.