California State University-Long Beach vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Torn between these two? Here's how they stack up on what actually matters - what you'll pay, what graduates earn, and which one gives you the better return - all on U.S. Department of Education data.
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
On the numbers, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign comes out ahead: 93/100 to 86/100, a 7-point edge over California State University-Long Beach. That gap comes from real differences in what each one costs, what its graduates earn, and the debt they leave with.
Start with what you'd actually pay. After aid, California State University-Long Beach runs $10,440 a year against $14,355 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - $3,915 more a year, or about $15,660 across four years.
Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a median $81,054 against $64,403 at California State University-Long Beach. The cost earns itself back in 6.2 years at California State University-Long Beach and 4.3 years at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave California State University-Long Beach owing a median $14,289 versus $19,500 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.36 and 0.37 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.
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 the clearly stronger ROI here (93 vs 86) - graduates earn more for what they paid, and the return is somewhat better. That said, if California State University-Long Beach is the stronger school for your intended major, that can outweigh the gap for you specifically.
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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.