Head to head · Illinois
University of Illinois Chicago costs less than Illinois State University at every income band federal data covers — between $3,177 and $7,680 less per year, depending on what you earn.
| Household income | Illinois State University | University of Illinois Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $30k | $11,568 | $7,529 | $4,039 |
| $30–48k | $12,301 | $8,119 | $4,182 |
| $48–75k | $16,348 | $10,921 | $5,427 |
| $75–110k | $23,865 | $16,185 | $7,680 |
| Over $110k | $28,224 | $25,047 | $3,177 |
Green marks the cheaper of the two at that income. "Net price" is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education — not a calculator's estimate. Public-school figures reflect in-state families; out-of-state families typically pay more.
Should your student retake the SAT? The honest math →
Think you make too much for aid? The real income cutoffs, measured →
Each year's reported net price grown 3.5% — the same method College Compass uses inside a family's plan.
Listed Illinois State University first, then University of Illinois Chicago. Acceptance rate is the school's overall published figure — your student's own odds depend on their transcript, scores, and high school.
Again Illinois State University first. The four-year graduation rate matters more than it looks: a fifth year is a fifth year of paying.
These are averages. Your family isn't average.
Run both against your student's real GPA, your income band, and your actual high school — odds with the math shown, and what four years would really cost you, side by side. First three schools free.
Illinois State University — every income band · University of Illinois Chicago — every income band · All Illinois public colleges