University of Illinois Chicago ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$57,352
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$18,218/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
535%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Illinois Chicago has an in-state tuition of $14,338. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $47,662. Five years after graduation, the median earnings increase to $53,218, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $68,740. The median debt for graduates is $16,704, and 25% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio can be calculated by dividing the median debt by the median annual income. Using the one-year earnings data, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.35. The break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to offset the cost of tuition, can be estimated by dividing the tuition cost by the difference between the one-year earnings and the average earnings without a degree.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$14,338
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,704
Median Earnings (5yr)
$53,218
Graduation Rate
61%
Receive Financial Aid
25%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | $99,400 | 2146% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $125,403 | 3053% |
| Biology, General | $52,151 | 498% |
| Medicine | $91,356 | 1865% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $109,166 | 2486% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $64,683 | 935% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $53,738 | 553% |
| Social Work | $55,701 | 622% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $77,381 | 1378% |
| Public Health | $78,867 | 1430% |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $78,955 | 1433% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $83,494 | 1591% |
Peer Comparison
535%
20yr ROI
681%
20yr ROI
612%
20yr ROI
498%
20yr ROI
640%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.