University of Illinois Chicago vs Eastern Illinois 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 31-point ROI advantage over Eastern Illinois University, scoring 85/100 versus 54/100. 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 $12,786 at Eastern Illinois University - a difference of $1,812 annually, or roughly $7,248 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Chicago graduates earn a median of $68,740 compared to $51,989 at Eastern Illinois University. The payback period is 5.5 years at University of Illinois Chicago versus 11.3 years at Eastern Illinois University.
Graduates leave University of Illinois Chicago with a median $16,704 in debt versus $21,500 at Eastern Illinois University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.39 and 0.61 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Illinois Ch... | Eastern Illinois Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $14,338 | $13,679 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $29,884 | $16,217 |
| Net Price (avg) | $10,974 | $12,786 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $43,896 | $51,144 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,100 | $35,500 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $68,740 | $51,989 |
| Graduation Rate | 61.6% | 47.4% |
| Payback Period | 5.5 yr | 11.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $16,704 | $21,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $177 | $228 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.39 | 0.61 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 76.4% | 68.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 72.7% | 66.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 77.3% | 65.3% |
| Enrollment | 22,170 | 4,188 |
| SAT Range | 1130-1350 | 880-1090 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Illino... | Eastern Illinois Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,529 | $9,828 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $8,119 | $8,619 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,921 | $11,412 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,185 | $15,665 |
| $110,001+ | $25,047 | $21,027 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Illino... | Eastern Illinois Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | $86,088 | $66,840 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $83,218 | $70,704 |
| Marketing | $71,293 | $62,994 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $67,555 | $60,985 |
| Teacher Education | $64,100 | $43,190 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $63,233 | $54,548 |
| International Relations | $60,020 | $61,519 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $59,295 | $40,489 |
| Biology | $59,119 | $53,725 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,845 | $57,887 |
| History | $55,326 | $40,597 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $55,247 | $50,502 |
| Sociology | $53,962 | $48,925 |
| Psychology | $52,736 | $49,478 |
| English Language and Literature | $48,442 | $47,222 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Illino... | Eastern Illinois Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 73 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 92 | 54 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 88 | 50 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 63 | 33 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 59 | 35 |
| Overall ROI Score | 85 | 54 |
The Verdict
University of Illinois Chicago significantly outperforms Eastern Illinois University on financial ROI (85 vs 54). The 31-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Eastern Illinois 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.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
University of Illinois Chicago
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Eastern Illinois University
Below Average 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.