Chicago, IL · Private University
Is University of Illinois Chicago Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$68,740
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$14,338
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$29,360
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$117,440
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.34x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
60.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$16,704
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,313
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Illinois Chicago graduates earn $23,740 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Illinois Chicago ranked by graduate earnings
337 graduates
148 graduates
63 graduates
78 graduates
224 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Illinois Chicago
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Illinois Chicago, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $98,768) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $21,798) is $76,970/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $98,768 | 3.4x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $86,262 | 2.9x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $78,717 | 2.7x |
| Chemical Engineering | $77,771 | 2.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $77,381 | 2.6x |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | $76,366 | 2.6x |
| Civil Engineering | $75,853 | 2.6x |
| Computer Engineering | $75,299 | 2.6x |
| Information Science/Studies | $74,356 | 2.5x |
| Industrial Engineering | $74,149 | 2.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $74,072 | 2.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $67,984 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations(1yr data) | $65,781 | 2.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $64,683 | 2.2x |
| Economics | $63,369 | 2.2x |
| Marketing | $60,779 | 2.1x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $60,570 | 2.1x |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $59,511 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $56,110 | 1.9x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $55,298 | 1.9x |
| Architecture | $54,262 | 1.9x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $53,754 | 1.8x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $53,738 | 1.8x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $53,560 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $52,881 | 1.8x |
| Biology, General | $52,151 | 1.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,977 | 1.7x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,569 | 1.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $48,704 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $47,000 | 1.6x |
| Public Health | $46,816 | 1.6x |
| Sociology | $44,185 | 1.5x |
| History | $43,463 | 1.5x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $42,679 | 1.4x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $42,578 | 1.4x |
| Statistics(1yr data) | $38,296 | 1.3x |
| Anthropology | $38,139 | 1.3x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $37,721 | 1.3x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences(1yr data) | $37,280 | 1.3x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services(1yr data) | $36,743 | 1.3x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $35,261 | 1.2x |
| Public Policy Analysis(1yr data) | $35,205 | 1.2x |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(1yr data) | $33,530 | 1.1x |
| Sustainability Studies(1yr data) | $30,548 | 1.0x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $29,735 | 1.0x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $21,798 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Chicago | 2.34x | $68,740 | Strong ROI |
| Michigan State University | 1.55x | $67,253 | Good ROI |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | 2.07x | $59,637 | Strong ROI |
| University of Iowa | 1.97x | $64,762 | Good ROI |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | 2.05x | $56,887 | Strong ROI |
| Ball State University | 1.80x | $51,833 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Illinois Chicago stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $68,740 10 years after starting — $23,740 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.5 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.