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Head to head · Illinois

University of Illinois Chicago vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Which of these costs less depends on what you earn. At $75–110k and below, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the cheaper of the two; from over $110k up, University of Illinois Chicago is. Sticker price shows none of this.

What each actually costs, by household income

Household incomeUniversity of Illinois ChicagoUniversity of Illinois UrbanaDifference
Under $30k$7,529$2,038$5,491 · University of Illinois Urbana
$30–48k$8,119$5,373$2,746 · University of Illinois Urbana
$48–75k$10,921$7,982$2,939 · University of Illinois Urbana
$75–110k$16,185$15,152$1,033 · University of Illinois Urbana
Over $110k$25,047$28,761$3,714 · University of Illinois Chicago

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.

Four years, at $75–110k

University of Illinois Chicago$68,220
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign$63,866
Difference over four years$4,354

Each year's reported net price grown 3.5% — the same method College Compass uses inside a family's plan.

Getting in

Published acceptance rate77% · 42%
Average SAT1250 · 1440

Listed University of Illinois Chicago first, then University of Illinois Urbana. Acceptance rate is the school's overall published figure — your student's own odds depend on their transcript, scores, and high school.

After graduation — federal data

Median earnings, 10 yrs out$68,740 · $81,054
Graduate in four years42% · 73%
Typical graduate's own federal debt$16,704 · $19,500

Again University of Illinois Chicago 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.
College Compass runs both schools against your student's real GPA, your income band, and your actual high school — admit odds with the math shown, merit likelihood, and what four years would really cost you. First three schools free.

Compare them for your student →

Go deeper on either school

University of Illinois Chicago — every income band · University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — every income band · All Illinois public colleges