Head-to-head · 2026
University of Chicago vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Compare average net price ($14,860 at University of Chicago; $14,355 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), ROI score (15.46 vs 14.12), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($91,885 vs $81,054), and admissions selectivity (4.5% acceptance at University of Chicago; 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 | University of Chicago | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.46 ✓ | 14.12 |
| Avg net price | $14,860 | $14,355 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $59,440 | $57,420 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $70,662 | $16,004 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $70,662 | $35,124 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $91,885 ✓ | $81,054 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.5% | 42.4% |
| Graduation rate | 95.9% ✓ | 85.1% |
| Retention rate | 99.3% ✓ | 94.8% |
| Median debt | $15,000 ✓ | $19,500 |
| Enrollment | 7,569 | 36,258 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1554 | 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 | University of Chicago | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | -$1,264 ✓ | $2,038 |
| Family income $30–48k | $914 ✓ | $5,373 |
| Family income $48–75k | $226 ✓ | $7,982 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,602 ✓ | $15,152 |
| Family income $110k+ | $48,524 | $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 | University of Chicago | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 17.2% | 6.6% |
| Economics | 10.2% | 3.1% |
| Computer Science | 4.3% | 6.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.2% | 9% |
| Statistics | 4.8% | 2.5% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 2.1% | 3.8% |
| Social Work | 2.6% | 1.6% |
| Applied Mathematics | 3.5% | 0.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports the lower average net price by $505 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $2,020 difference over four years ($57,420 vs $59,440).
University of Chicago reports $10,831 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($91,885 vs $81,054). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 99.3% at University of Chicago and 94.8% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median federal debt among completers is $15,000 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
University of Chicago vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is cheaper — average net price $14,355 per year vs $14,860 at University of Chicago. The annual difference of $505 adds up to about $2,020 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Chicago reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $91,885 vs $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The gap in the federal data is $10,831. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Chicago is more selective at 4.5% acceptance vs 42.4% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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.