University of Illinois Chicago vs Chicago State University
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 Chicago holds a 69-point ROI advantage over Chicago State University, scoring 85/100 versus 16/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Illinois Chicago comes in at $10,974 per year (net price after aid) versus $12,335 at Chicago State University - a difference of $1,361 annually, or roughly $5,444 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Chicago graduates earn a median of $68,740 compared to $42,778 at Chicago State University. The payback period is 5.5 years at University of Illinois Chicago versus 24.3 years at Chicago State University.
Graduates leave University of Illinois Chicago with a median $16,704 in debt versus $30,625 at Chicago State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.39 and 0.95 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Illinois Ch... | Chicago State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $14,338 | $12,754 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $29,884 | $12,754 |
| Net Price (avg) | $10,974 | $12,335 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $43,896 | $49,340 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,100 | $32,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $68,740 | $42,778 |
| Graduation Rate | 61.6% | 15.5% |
| Payback Period | 5.5 yr | 24.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $16,704 | $30,625 |
| Monthly Payment | $177 | $325 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.39 | 0.95 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 76.4% | 34.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 72.7% | 32.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 77.3% | 43.3% |
| Enrollment | 22,170 | 1,384 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Illino... | Chicago State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,529 | $9,073 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $8,119 | $9,550 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,921 | $11,334 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,185 | $13,899 |
| $110,001+ | $25,047 | $28,427 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Illino... | Chicago State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $87,037 | $92,024 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $68,109 | $53,181 |
| Teacher Education | $64,100 | $59,296 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $59,295 | $57,691 |
| Biology | $59,119 | $46,898 |
| Sociology | $53,962 | $51,485 |
| Psychology | $52,736 | $47,168 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Illino... | Chicago State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 30 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 92 | 21 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 88 | 6 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 63 | 3 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 59 | 2 |
| Overall ROI Score | 85 | 16 |
The Verdict
University of Illinois Chicago significantly outperforms Chicago State University on financial ROI (85 vs 16). The 69-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Chicago State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Illinois Chicago.
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University of Illinois Chicago
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Chicago State University
Poor 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.