Head-to-head · 2026
College of DuPage vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Compare average net price ($7,401 at College of DuPage; $14,355 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), ROI score (15.85 vs 14.12), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,909 vs $81,054), and admissions context (Open / not reported at College of DuPage; 42.4% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) 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 Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.85 ✓ | 14.12 |
| Avg net price | $7,401 ✓ | $14,355 |
| 4-year avg net price | $29,604 ✓ | $57,420 |
| In-state tuition | $4,560 | $16,004 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,750 | $35,124 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,909 | $81,054 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 42.4% |
| Graduation rate | 25.2% | 85.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 65.7% | 94.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,410 ✓ | $19,500 |
| Enrollment | 16,114 | 36,258 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1440 |
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 Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,032 | $2,038 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,390 ✓ | $5,373 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,431 | $7,982 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,717 ✓ | $15,152 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,308 ✓ | $28,761 |
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 Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 27.9% | 0% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.4% | 9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2% | 2.2% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 2.8% | 0.6% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 3.1% | 0.1% |
| Social Work | 0.6% | 1.6% |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 0.9% | 1% |
| Marketing | 0.1% | 1.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of DuPage reports the lower average net price by $6,954 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $27,816 difference over four years ($29,604 vs $57,420).
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports $34,145 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($81,054 vs $46,909). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 65.7% at College of DuPage and 94.8% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median federal debt among completers is $10,410 vs $19,500, 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 Urbana-Champaign, 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 $14,355 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The annual difference of $6,954 adds up to about $27,816 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $81,054 vs $46,909 at College of DuPage. The gap in the federal data is $34,145. 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.