University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs University of Maryland-College Park
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 Maryland-College Park are closely matched on financial return. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scores 93/100 while University of Maryland-College Park scores 94/100 - 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 $15,678 at University of Maryland-College Park - a difference of $1,323 annually, or roughly $5,292 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn a median of $82,860 compared to $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The payback period is 4.3 years at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign versus 4.2 years at University of Maryland-College Park.
Graduates leave University of Maryland-College Park with a median $19,000 in debt versus $19,500 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.37 and 0.38 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Illinois Ur... | University of Maryland-Co... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $16,004 | $11,809 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $35,124 | $41,186 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,355 | $15,678 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $57,420 | $62,712 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $52,300 | $50,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $81,054 | $82,860 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.1% | 88.6% |
| Payback Period | 4.3 yr | 4.2 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $19,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $201 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.37 | 0.38 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 82.7% | 85.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 81.4% | 83.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 42.4% | 44.8% |
| Enrollment | 36,258 | 30,760 |
| SAT Range | 1310-1520 | 1400-1530 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Illino... | University of Maryla... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $2,038 | $2,962 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,373 | $6,051 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $7,982 | $10,273 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,152 | $18,250 |
| $110,001+ | $28,761 | $26,691 |
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 Maryla... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $181,981 | $137,931 |
| Computer Engineering | $159,855 | $152,422 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $146,946 | $144,501 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $119,978 | $110,648 |
| Electrical Engineering | $111,783 | $107,834 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $104,172 | $111,649 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $107,904 | $86,590 |
| Chemical Engineering | $104,317 | $102,149 |
| Accounting | $101,098 | $97,314 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $95,329 | $100,003 |
| Mathematics | $78,891 | $99,689 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $97,276 | $98,044 |
| Materials Engineering | $97,924 | $97,714 |
| Marketing | $90,744 | $93,782 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $89,400 | $93,440 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Illino... | University of Maryla... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 97 | 96 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 97 | 97 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 90 | 89 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 93 | 95 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 78 | 87 |
| Overall ROI Score | 93 | 94 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Maryland-College Park edges out University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign by 1 points (94 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.
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 Urbana-Champaign
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Maryland-College Park
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.