University of Wisconsin-Madison 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 Wisconsin-Madison and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are closely matched on financial return. University of Wisconsin-Madison scores 91/100 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign comes in at $14,355 per year (net price after aid) versus $17,354 at University of Wisconsin-Madison - a difference of $2,999 annually, or roughly $11,996 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a median of $81,054 compared to $73,792 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. The payback period is 5.4 years at University of Wisconsin-Madison versus 4.3 years at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Graduates leave University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a median $19,500 in debt versus $20,484 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.41 and 0.37 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Wisconsin-M... | University of Illinois Ur... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,603 | $16,004 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $42,103 | $35,124 |
| Net Price (avg) | $17,354 | $14,355 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $69,416 | $57,420 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $49,600 | $52,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $73,792 | $81,054 |
| Graduation Rate | 89.5% | 85.1% |
| Payback Period | 5.4 yr | 4.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,484 | $19,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.41 | 0.37 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 87.8% | 82.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 87.3% | 81.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 45.2% | 42.4% |
| Enrollment | 36,902 | 36,258 |
| SAT Range | 1380-1520 | 1310-1520 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Wiscon... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $4,200 | $2,038 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $4,101 | $5,373 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $8,134 | $7,982 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $17,763 | $15,152 |
| $110,001+ | $27,292 | $28,761 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Wiscon... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $120,068 | $159,855 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $119,655 | $146,946 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $107,207 | $119,978 |
| Management Information Systems | $73,506 | $116,339 |
| Nuclear Engineering | $102,449 | $116,047 |
| Electrical Engineering | $95,059 | $111,783 |
| Industrial Engineering | $110,711 | $103,143 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $100,005 | $107,904 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $106,521 | $104,172 |
| Statistics | $99,210 | $105,978 |
| Chemical Engineering | $101,676 | $104,317 |
| Mathematics | $101,438 | $78,891 |
| Accounting | $101,390 | $101,098 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $99,762 | $97,926 |
| Materials Engineering | $91,265 | $97,924 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Wiscon... | University of Illino... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 92 | 97 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 86 | 90 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 96 | 93 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 91 | 78 |
| Overall ROI Score | 91 | 93 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign edges out University of Wisconsin-Madison by 2 points (93 vs 91), 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 Wisconsin-Madison
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.