College of DuPage vs University of Illinois Chicago
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +24% | +488% |
| 10-year net gain | $4,515 | $244,007 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $47,311 | $74,399 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $25,666 | $57,829 |
| Average net price | $7,401 | $10,974 |
| Median debt | $10,410 | $16,704 |
| Break-even | 8 yrs | 1.7 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 62% |
| Admission rate | — | 77% |
College of DuPage
Break-even
+$4,515 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
University of Illinois Chicago
Strong return
+$244,007 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.