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Best Value Electrical Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Northwestern University commands a $27,143 net cost while graduates earn $73,707 from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, creating an unusual value equation among Illinois electrical engineering programs. The $15,551 spread between the most and least expensive options reflects different pathways to strong career prospects in Illinois's tech-heavy economy. Chicago's growing tech sector and the state's manufacturing base provide abundant opportunities for electrical engineers, with companies like Boeing, Caterpillar, and Abbott drawing talent from these 11 programs. Western Illinois University delivers the lowest net cost at $11,592, while acceptance rates range from Northwestern's selective 7.21% to Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville's open 97.51%.
11
Programs
$11,592 – $27,143
Net Price Range
$68,897
Avg. Program Earnings
60.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,313 $70,610 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
2 $12,909 $66,989 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
3 $15,201 $73,707 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
4 $13,696 $65,889 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
5 $16,177 $65,905 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
6 $19,353 $68,499 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
7 $23,572 $70,680 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
8 $21,055 $26,100 23.0%
9 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
10 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
11 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $12,000 earnings difference between top and bottom programs?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn $73,707 compared to $65,889 at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, reflecting factors like research opportunities, industry connections, and program reputation. The higher-earning programs also show stronger graduation rates, with UIUC achieving 84.90% compared to 55.00% at SIUE.

How do public universities compare to private options for electrical engineering value?

Public universities dominate the value equation, with net costs ranging from $11,592 to $16,177 compared to private schools reaching $27,143 at Northwestern. Illinois Institute of Technology bridges this gap at $19,353 while maintaining a solid 72.40% graduation rate and $68,499 in graduate earnings.

Is the University of Illinois Chicago worth the higher cost than other public options?

UIC's $12,313 net cost produces $70,610 in graduate earnings and a 60.30% graduation rate, making it competitive with private alternatives. The Chicago location provides access to major employers in finance, healthcare technology, and telecommunications that smaller cities cannot match.

Does Northwestern's selectivity justify its premium pricing for electrical engineering?

Northwestern accepts only 7.21% of applicants while charging $27,143 net cost, but earnings data isn't available for comparison. The school's 95.90% graduation rate far exceeds other options, though students must weigh this against UIUC's lower $15,201 cost and higher $73,707 earnings.

More Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.