California State University-Long Beach vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign holds a 7-point ROI advantage over California State University-Long Beach, scoring 93/100 versus 86/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, California State University-Long Beach comes in at $10,440 per year (net price after aid) versus $14,355 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - a difference of $3,915 annually, or roughly $15,660 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a median of $81,054 compared to $64,403 at California State University-Long Beach. The payback period is 6.2 years at California State University-Long Beach versus 4.3 years at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Graduates leave California State University-Long Beach with a median $14,289 in debt versus $19,500 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.36 and 0.37 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | California State Universi... | University of Illinois Ur... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $7,350 | $16,004 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $19,950 | $35,124 |
| Net Price (avg) | $10,440 | $14,355 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $41,760 | $57,420 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $40,000 | $52,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $64,403 | $81,054 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.9% | 85.1% |
| Payback Period | 6.2 yr | 4.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $14,289 | $19,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $151 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.36 | 0.37 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.4% | 82.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.3% | 81.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 46.3% | 42.4% |
| Enrollment | 35,924 | 36,258 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | California State Uni... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,183 | $2,038 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,831 | $5,373 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,705 | $7,982 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $12,630 | $15,152 |
| $110,001+ | $19,750 | $28,761 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | California State Uni... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $101,428 | $181,981 |
| Computer Engineering | $98,967 | $159,855 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $78,085 | $119,978 |
| Management Information Systems | $76,664 | $116,339 |
| Electrical Engineering | $103,075 | $111,783 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $67,853 | $107,904 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $106,540 | $97,926 |
| Chemical Engineering | $92,523 | $104,317 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $101,797 | $97,276 |
| Accounting | $74,839 | $101,098 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $95,957 | $95,329 |
| Civil Engineering | $89,457 | $91,650 |
| Marketing | $67,396 | $90,744 |
| Economics | $71,220 | $86,860 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $28,226 | $83,451 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California State Uni... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 95 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 88 | 97 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 91 | 90 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 77 | 93 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 62 | 78 |
| Overall ROI Score | 86 | 93 |
The Verdict
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a meaningfully higher ROI score (93 vs 86). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if California State University-Long Beach offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
California State University-Long Beach
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.