University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, Illinois · Public · 42.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 93/100 · Exceptional Value
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $16,004/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $35,124/yr |
| Average net price | $14,355/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $57,420 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $81,054 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $52,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $207 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 85.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 36,258 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,038 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,373 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,982 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,152 |
| $110,001+ | $28,761 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $60,168 | C |
| Computer Engineering | $159,855 | A |
| Accounting | $101,098 | B+ |
| Statistics | $105,978 | B+ |
| Finance and Financial Management | $119,978 | B+ |
| Economics | $86,860 | B |
| Computer Science | $181,981 | A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $66,439 | C+ |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $70,213 | D |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $86,646 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is $16,004/year ($35,124/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,355/year, or roughly $57,420 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $2,038/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $28,761/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $19,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $207 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $81,054 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.37 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 80.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 82.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 81.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 85.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 42.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 660-780 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 650-740 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 30-34 |
| Enrollment | 36,258 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 23.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $14,464 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (this school) | 93 | $14,355 | $81,054 |
| University of California-Davis | 95 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | 94 | $15,678 | $82,860 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | 91 | $17,354 | $73,792 |
| Eastern Illinois University | 54 | $12,786 | $51,989 |
| Chicago State University | 16 | $12,335 | $42,778 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $57,420 and median graduate earnings of $81,054 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.3 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 85.1% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $19,500 is very manageable against $81,054 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.