At $18,967/yr net price, University of Chicago graduates earn $91,885/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $57,885/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,967 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $75,868 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $91,885/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$57,885/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 94.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $770/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,816/yr |
| $110,001+ | $54,800/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law. | Doctoral | $171,510 | $188,691 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $159,442 | $92,529 |
| Statistics. | Master | $116,083 | $48,437 |
| Computer Science. | Master | $92,277 | $80,205 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $91,211 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $85,637 | $13,395 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $84,653 | $59,772 |
| Political Science and Government. | Doctoral | $74,576 | |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $72,022 | $12,000 |
| Public Policy Analysis. | Master | $70,083 | $78,854 |
The Risk Factor
94.9% of students at University of Chicago graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
University of Chicago gives you a strong financial return, mostly because the debt side is so low. A $15,000 median debt against $91,885 median earnings ten years out is a rare ratio for a private school at this price point. You leave with less debt than you'd carry from many state schools, and the 94.9% graduation rate plus a near-perfect retention rate mean you're very likely to actually finish and start earning.
Computer science and economics are where the money is. CS grads clear $91,000 and econ grads $85,000, both while carrying debt in the $13,000 range or lower. Math and statistics pay less but still land in the high $60,000s to low $70,000s. Public policy analysis is the weak spot: it pays about $52,000 while carrying the highest debt on the list at $17,492. If public policy is your plan, you're paying more to earn less, and Chicago's federal and nonprofit job market around that field won't close the gap quickly.
The main financial risk is the sticker price if your family earns over $110k. You'd pay roughly $54,800 a year, near the full cost, and the return only works if you graduate into a quantitative or finance-track field. Choosing a lower-paying major at that price weakens the math considerably.
The net price tiers reward lower and middle incomes heavily. If your family earns $48-75k, you pay about $770 a year, and $75-110k pays around $12,816. At those tiers Chicago is one of the better financial deals available to you, especially in CS or economics. If your family is above $110k and you're aiming at public policy or a humanities path not listed here, look hard at cheaper options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Chicago worth the high tuition cost?
University of Chicago graduates earn $91,885 ten years after graduation with relatively low debt at $15,000 median, making the investment worthwhile for most students. The school's strong financial aid brings the average net price down to $18,967 annually.
What are the best paying majors at University of Chicago?
Law and business programs at University of Chicago offer the strongest financial returns, with law graduates earning $171,510 and business graduates earning $159,442. Statistics and computer science also provide solid returns above $90,000.
How much debt do University of Chicago students graduate with?
University of Chicago students graduate with a median debt of just $15,000, significantly lower than the national average. The school's generous financial aid program helps keep borrowing minimal for most students.
Does University of Chicago have good financial aid?
University of Chicago offers strong financial aid that reduces the average net price to $18,967 per year despite high sticker prices. The combination of need-based aid and merit scholarships makes the school accessible to middle and lower-income families.