Colleges in Illinois
5 schools · official College Scorecard data
Among the 5 Illinois colleges we track, the lowest average net price is at University of Illinois Chicago ($10,974/yr), the highest median graduate earnings are at University of Chicago ($91,885), and the best earnings-to-cost ROI signal belongs to University of Illinois Chicago (6.3×). Compare net price, graduation rates, earnings and ROI for every school below.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Data as of June 2026.
Illinois colleges compared
| School | Type | Net price/yr | Median earnings (10yr) | Grad rate | ROI signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Public | $14,355 | $81,054 | 85.1% | 5.6× |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Public | $10,974 | $68,740 | 61.6% | 6.3× |
| Illinois State University | Public | $19,398 | $62,117 | 64.5% | 3.2× |
| Northwestern University | Private (nonprofit) | $29,167 | $89,363 | 95.1% | 3.1× |
| University of Chicago | Private (nonprofit) | $14,860 | $91,885 | 95.9% | 6.2× |
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Data as of June 2026.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Public domain (U.S. Government work)), snapshot June 2026. ROI signal = median 10-year earnings ÷ average annual net price (methodology). Estimates — verify before relying on them.
Frequently asked questions
Which college in Illinois has the lowest net price?
Of the 5 Illinois schools we track, University of Illinois Chicago has the lowest average net price at $10,974 per year (after grants and scholarships). Your own price depends on your family income, so always run the school's net price calculator.
Which Illinois college has the highest graduate earnings?
University of Chicago reports the highest median earnings 10 years after entry among Illinois schools in our data, at $91,885. Earnings reflect federally-aided students across all majors, so they are an outcome signal rather than a guarantee.
What is the best-value college in Illinois?
By our ROI signal (median earnings ÷ annual net price), University of Illinois Chicago leads Illinois schools at 6.3×. This is a simple value gauge that rewards both strong earnings and low cost — see the methodology for its limits.
Where does this Illinois college data come from?
All figures are from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, a public-domain federal dataset. We commit a dated snapshot and link the source so you can verify every number.
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Last updated: 2026-06-20