University of Washington-Seattle Campus vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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 Washington-Seattle Campus and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are closely matched on financial return. University of Washington-Seattle Campus scores 94/100 while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scores 93/100 - 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 Washington-Seattle Campus comes in at $14,091 per year (net price after aid) versus $14,355 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - a difference of $264 annually, or roughly $1,056 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a median of $81,054 compared to $78,466 at University of Washington-Seattle Campus. The payback period is 4.5 years at University of Washington-Seattle Campus versus 4.3 years at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Graduates leave University of Washington-Seattle Campus with a median $14,615 in debt versus $19,500 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.29 and 0.37 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Washington-... | University of Illinois Ur... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,973 | $16,004 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $43,209 | $35,124 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,091 | $14,355 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $56,364 | $57,420 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $50,300 | $52,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $78,466 | $81,054 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.2% | 85.1% |
| Payback Period | 4.5 yr | 4.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $14,615 | $19,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $155 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.29 | 0.37 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.7% | 82.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 80.9% | 81.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 39.1% | 42.4% |
| Enrollment | 31,942 | 36,258 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Washin... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $6,384 | $2,038 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,039 | $5,373 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $8,110 | $7,982 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,328 | $15,152 |
| $110,001+ | $30,019 | $28,761 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Washin... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $175,616 | $181,981 |
| Computer Engineering | $169,570 | $159,855 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $114,798 | $146,946 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $97,452 | $119,978 |
| Management Information Systems | $113,308 | $116,339 |
| Electrical Engineering | $116,010 | $111,783 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $111,349 | $97,276 |
| Industrial Engineering | $109,575 | $103,143 |
| Chemical Engineering | $109,551 | $104,317 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $78,771 | $107,904 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $95,193 | $104,172 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $103,414 | $67,147 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $102,078 | $95,329 |
| Accounting | $88,393 | $101,098 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $100,930 | $97,926 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Washin... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 96 | 97 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 95 | 90 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 93 | 93 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 82 | 78 |
| Overall ROI Score | 94 | 93 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Washington-Seattle Campus 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.
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University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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.