Head-to-head · 2026
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College vs University of Illinois Springfield
Compare average net price ($6,375 at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College; $9,833 at University of Illinois Springfield), ROI score (16.32 vs 14.52), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($41,625 vs $57,103), and admissions context (Open / not reported at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College; 85.9% at University of Illinois Springfield) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | University of Illinois Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 16.32 ✓ | 14.52 |
| Avg net price | $6,375 ✓ | $9,833 |
| 4-year avg net price | $25,500 ✓ | $39,332 |
| In-state tuition | $4,590 | $12,252 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,150 | $22,017 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $41,625 | $57,103 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 85.9% |
| Graduation rate | 30.9% | 53.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 72.5% | 74.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $6,500 ✓ | $19,128 |
| Enrollment | 4,372 | 2,263 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1102 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | University of Illinois Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,645 ✓ | $5,778 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,916 | $5,915 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,930 ✓ | $9,520 |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,691 ✓ | $12,349 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $16,544 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | University of Illinois Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 67.3% | 0.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.9% | 5.7% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 3.4% | 2.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2.4% | 2.1% |
| Social Work | 0.6% | 1.6% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 0.3% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College reports the lower average net price by $3,458 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $13,832 difference over four years ($25,500 vs $39,332).
University of Illinois Springfield reports $15,478 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($57,103 vs $41,625). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 72.5% at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College and 74.8% at University of Illinois Springfield. Median federal debt among completers is $6,500 vs $19,128, respectively.
6 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College vs University of Illinois Springfield, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College is cheaper — average net price $6,375 per year vs $9,833 at University of Illinois Springfield. The annual difference of $3,458 adds up to about $13,832 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Illinois Springfield reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $57,103 vs $41,625 at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College. The gap in the federal data is $15,478. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.