University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 Urbana-Champaign holds a 39-point ROI advantage over Eastern Illinois University, scoring 93/100 versus 54/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Eastern Illinois University comes in at $12,786 per year (net price after aid) versus $14,355 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - a difference of $1,569 annually, or roughly $6,276 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a median of $81,054 compared to $51,989 at Eastern Illinois University. The payback period is 4.3 years at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign versus 11.3 years at Eastern Illinois University.
Graduates leave University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a median $19,500 in debt versus $21,500 at Eastern Illinois University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.37 and 0.61 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Illinois Ur... | Eastern Illinois Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $16,004 | $13,679 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $35,124 | $16,217 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,355 | $12,786 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $57,420 | $51,144 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $52,300 | $35,500 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $81,054 | $51,989 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.1% | 47.4% |
| Payback Period | 4.3 yr | 11.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $21,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $228 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.37 | 0.61 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 82.7% | 68.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 81.4% | 66.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 42.4% | 65.3% |
| Enrollment | 36,258 | 4,188 |
| SAT Range | 1310-1520 | 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 | $2,038 | $9,828 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,373 | $8,619 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $7,982 | $11,412 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,152 | $15,665 |
| $110,001+ | $28,761 | $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... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $146,946 | $72,220 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $119,978 | $70,704 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $104,172 | $60,985 |
| Accounting | $101,098 | $66,840 |
| Marketing | $90,744 | $62,994 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $83,451 | $59,401 |
| International Relations | $69,515 | $61,519 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $67,782 | $50,502 |
| Journalism | $67,539 | $54,038 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $66,439 | $57,887 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $65,605 | $60,473 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $60,685 | $47,566 |
| Sociology | $55,393 | $48,925 |
| Teacher Education | $55,105 | $43,190 |
| English Language and Literature | $54,570 | $47,222 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Illino... | Eastern Illinois Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 97 | 73 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 97 | 54 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 90 | 50 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 93 | 33 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 78 | 35 |
| Overall ROI Score | 93 | 54 |
The Verdict
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign significantly outperforms Eastern Illinois University on financial ROI (93 vs 54). The 39-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 Urbana-Champaign.
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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Exceptional 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.