University of California-Riverside vs University of Illinois Chicago
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 California-Riverside and University of Illinois Chicago are closely matched on financial return. University of California-Riverside scores 83/100 while University of Illinois Chicago scores 85/100 - 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 Chicago comes in at $10,974 per year (net price after aid) versus $14,304 at University of California-Riverside - a difference of $3,330 annually, or roughly $13,320 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Chicago graduates earn a median of $68,740 compared to $67,699 at University of California-Riverside. The payback period is 6 years at University of California-Riverside versus 5.5 years at University of Illinois Chicago.
Graduates leave University of Illinois Chicago with a median $16,704 in debt versus $17,500 at University of California-Riverside. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 and 0.39 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of California-... | University of Illinois Ch... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,606 | $14,338 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $49,806 | $29,884 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,304 | $10,974 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $57,216 | $43,896 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $36,800 | $43,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $67,699 | $68,740 |
| Graduation Rate | 76.0% | 61.6% |
| Payback Period | 6 yr | 5.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,500 | $16,704 |
| Monthly Payment | $186 | $177 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.48 | 0.39 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 72.7% | 76.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 69.2% | 72.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 76.4% | 77.3% |
| Enrollment | 22,593 | 22,170 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Califo... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $8,852 | $7,529 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $9,840 | $8,119 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,111 | $10,921 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,571 | $16,185 |
| $110,001+ | $30,393 | $25,047 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Califo... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $117,705 | $120,470 |
| Computer Engineering | $107,193 | $102,691 |
| Electrical Engineering | $102,630 | $92,002 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,721 | $87,384 |
| Chemical Engineering | $91,457 | $87,407 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $90,041 | $87,393 |
| Information Science | $76,090 | $81,180 |
| Statistics | $78,492 | $68,585 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,027 | $68,109 |
| Mathematics | $63,596 | $67,016 |
| Economics | $66,682 | $63,429 |
| Chemistry | $64,131 | $64,442 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $59,677 | $61,206 |
| International Relations | $56,740 | $60,020 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $59,549 | $58,268 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Califo... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 96 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 92 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 78 | 88 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 86 | 63 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 48 | 59 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 85 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Illinois Chicago edges out University of California-Riverside by 2 points (85 vs 83), 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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University of California-Riverside
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Illinois Chicago
Strong 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.