Purdue University-Main Campus 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
Purdue University-Main Campus and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are closely matched on financial return. Purdue University-Main Campus scores 91/100 while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scores 93/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign comes in at $14,355 per year (net price after aid) versus $14,600 at Purdue University-Main Campus - a difference of $245 annually, or roughly $980 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a median of $81,054 compared to $72,424 at Purdue University-Main Campus. The payback period is 5.3 years at Purdue University-Main Campus versus 4.3 years at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Graduates leave University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a median $19,500 in debt versus $19,500 at Purdue University-Main Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.40 and 0.37 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Purdue University-Main Ca... | University of Illinois Ur... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,992 | $16,004 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $28,794 | $35,124 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,600 | $14,355 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $58,400 | $57,420 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $49,000 | $52,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $72,424 | $81,054 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.1% | 85.1% |
| Payback Period | 5.3 yr | 4.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $19,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.40 | 0.37 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 85.8% | 82.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 83.0% | 81.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 49.9% | 42.4% |
| Enrollment | 44,503 | 36,258 |
| SAT Range | 1200-1480 | 1310-1520 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Purdue University-Ma... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,098 | $2,038 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $6,241 | $5,373 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,438 | $7,982 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $18,177 | $15,152 |
| $110,001+ | $22,742 | $28,761 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Purdue University-Ma... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $146,685 | $181,981 |
| Computer Engineering | $121,462 | $159,855 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $99,896 | $146,946 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $85,924 | $119,978 |
| Nuclear Engineering | $63,226 | $116,047 |
| Electrical Engineering | $105,396 | $111,783 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $81,040 | $107,904 |
| Materials Engineering | $107,557 | $97,924 |
| Industrial Engineering | $107,031 | $103,143 |
| Statistics | $104,047 | $105,978 |
| Chemical Engineering | $104,514 | $104,317 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $93,976 | $104,172 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $102,572 | $95,329 |
| Accounting | $90,119 | $101,098 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $93,434 | $97,926 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Purdue University-Ma... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 94 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 92 | 97 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 87 | 90 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 91 | 93 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 88 | 78 |
| Overall ROI Score | 91 | 93 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign edges out Purdue University-Main Campus by 2 points (93 vs 91), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Purdue University-Main Campus
Exceptional 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.