University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs University of California-Davis
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 and University of California-Davis are closely matched on financial return. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scores 93/100 while University of California-Davis scores 95/100 - 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 $14,741 at University of California-Davis - a difference of $386 annually, or roughly $1,544 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a median of $81,054 compared to $80,838 at University of California-Davis. The payback period is 4.3 years at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign versus 4.3 years at University of California-Davis.
Graduates leave University of California-Davis with a median $13,000 in debt versus $19,500 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.37 and 0.29 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Illinois Ur... | University of California-... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $16,004 | $16,774 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $35,124 | $50,974 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,355 | $14,741 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $57,420 | $58,964 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $52,300 | $45,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $81,054 | $80,838 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.1% | 85.7% |
| Payback Period | 4.3 yr | 4.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $13,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $138 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.37 | 0.29 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 82.7% | 88.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 81.4% | 83.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 42.4% | 41.8% |
| Enrollment | 36,258 | 32,253 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Illino... | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $2,038 | $9,211 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,373 | $9,966 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $7,982 | $11,951 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,152 | $16,294 |
| $110,001+ | $28,761 | $31,272 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Illino... | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $159,855 | $145,422 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $146,946 | $138,673 |
| Statistics | $105,978 | $88,033 |
| Chemical Engineering | $104,317 | $102,649 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $104,172 | $86,155 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $95,329 | $102,161 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $97,926 | $98,504 |
| Materials Engineering | $97,924 | $89,983 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $97,276 | $93,414 |
| Civil Engineering | $91,650 | $95,939 |
| Economics | $86,860 | $83,248 |
| Physics | $81,077 | $78,569 |
| Mathematics | $78,891 | $72,640 |
| Chemistry | $70,197 | $73,365 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $68,201 | $73,337 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Illino... | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 97 | 96 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 97 | 97 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 90 | 95 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 93 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 78 | 92 |
| Overall ROI Score | 93 | 95 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-Davis edges out University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign by 2 points (95 vs 93), 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of California-Davis
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.