The cost of college in Illinois — and what it pays back
Across the 116 Illinois institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $13,750/yr, $3,156 below the $16,906 national median. Graduates earn a median $44,966 ten years after entry (above the $43,552 national median), and 48 of the 116 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
$13,750
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$44,966
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
7.3 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
48/116
Schools that pay back
Our math, 2026
How Illinois's 116 colleges split by ROI verdict
Strong14
Solid17
Slow10
Weak75
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | $14,860 | $91,885 | 1.4 yrs |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $14,355 | $81,054 | 1.8 yrs |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | $18,425 | $82,592 | 2.2 yrs |
| University of Illinois Chicago | $10,974 | $68,740 | 2.2 yrs |
| Northwestern University | $29,167 | $89,363 | 2.8 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet Junior College | $1,672 | $42,889 | no payback |
| Illinois Valley Community College | $2,232 | $40,810 | no payback |
| Lake Land College | $2,254 | $38,877 | no payback |
| Moraine Valley Community College | $2,829 | $43,892 | no payback |
| South Suburban College | $3,242 | $33,680 | no payback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in Illinois?
The median net price across Illinois colleges is $13,750/yr after aid — below the $16,906 national median. Sticker prices run far higher; net price is what the typical aided student actually pays.
Is college in Illinois cheaper than the national average?
Yes, on median net price: $13,750/yr vs $16,906 nationally — about $3,156/yr less.
What do Illinois college graduates earn?
A median $44,966 ten years after entry (College Scorecard), above the $43,552 national median.
Which Illinois college pays for itself fastest?
University of Chicago — about 1.4 years to clear its $59,440 total net cost on earnings above the high-school baseline. The full ranking is on our best-colleges-in-illinois page.