Head-to-head · 2026
College of DuPage vs University of Illinois Chicago
Compare average net price ($7,401 at College of DuPage; $10,974 at University of Illinois Chicago), ROI score (15.85 vs 15.66), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,909 vs $68,740), and admissions context (Open / not reported at College of DuPage; 77.4% at University of Illinois Chicago) 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 | College of DuPage | University of Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.85 ✓ | 15.66 |
| Avg net price | $7,401 ✓ | $10,974 |
| 4-year avg net price | $29,604 ✓ | $43,896 |
| In-state tuition | $4,560 | $14,338 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,750 | $29,884 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,909 | $68,740 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 77.4% |
| Graduation rate | 25.2% | 61.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 65.7% | 80.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,410 ✓ | $16,704 |
| Enrollment | 16,114 | 22,170 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1250 |
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 | College of DuPage | University of Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,032 ✓ | $7,529 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,390 ✓ | $8,119 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,431 ✓ | $10,921 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,717 ✓ | $16,185 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,308 ✓ | $25,047 |
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 | College of DuPage | University of Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.7% | 6.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.4% | 2.4% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 3.1% | 1.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2% | 2.1% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 2.8% | 1.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1% | 2.7% |
| Social Work | 0.6% | 2.7% |
| Marketing | 0.1% | 2.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of DuPage reports the lower average net price by $3,573 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,292 difference over four years ($29,604 vs $43,896).
University of Illinois Chicago reports $21,831 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($68,740 vs $46,909). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 65.7% at College of DuPage and 80.2% at University of Illinois Chicago. Median federal debt among completers is $10,410 vs $16,704, respectively.
8 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
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Frequently asked
College of DuPage vs University of Illinois Chicago, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
College of DuPage is cheaper — average net price $7,401 per year vs $10,974 at University of Illinois Chicago. The annual difference of $3,573 adds up to about $14,292 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Illinois Chicago reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $68,740 vs $46,909 at College of DuPage. The gap in the federal data is $21,831. 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.