At $12,313/yr net price, University of Illinois Chicago graduates earn $68,740/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $34,740/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,313 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $49,252 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $68,740/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$34,740/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,704 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,257/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,945/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,887/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,806/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,479/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Master | $208,572 | |
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Certificate | $169,894 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $111,220 | $147,690 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $108,092 | |
| Public Health. | Doctoral | $106,421 | $48,587 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $101,278 | $323,938 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $94,021 | $97,999 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $91,744 | $52,000 |
| Engineering, Other. | Master | $84,653 | |
| Engineering, General. | Master | $81,498 |
The Risk Factor
60.3% of students at University of Illinois Chicago graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 40% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
UIC gives you a strong financial return for a public university, and the math is driven by a low net price against solid mid-career earnings. Median debt sits under one year of post-graduation pay, which is the kind of ratio that keeps loan repayment manageable no matter what you study.
The engineering and computing majors are where the payoff is clearest. Electrical engineering and computer science graduates land near or above $70,000, and even the higher-debt engineering paths like electrical and mechanical stay well inside safe borrowing territory because Chicago's job market absorbs these graduates. Nursing is the quiet winner: you earn in the mid-$60,000s while carrying the lowest debt of any top program here, making it the best debt-to-earnings deal on this list.
The listed program data only covers engineering, computing, and nursing, so if you plan to major in the humanities, social sciences, or arts, you are stepping outside the numbers that prove UIC pays off. Those fields exist here but their outcomes aren't shown, so treat the school's headline earnings as a reflection of its technical and health programs, not a guarantee for every degree.
The real risk is finishing. A 60% graduation rate and a 78% retention rate mean a meaningful share of you leave without a degree, and the school's affordability only works if you graduate. Debt with no credential is the worst outcome here.
UIC fits you best if you are aiming at engineering, computer science, or nursing and come from a family earning under $75,000, where net price stays near $9,000 to $13,000. If your family earns over $110,000, your price climbs past $25,000 and the deal narrows. Look harder elsewhere if you plan a non-technical major and want proof of return before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Illinois Chicago worth the cost?
UIC offers solid value with a low net price of $12,313 and graduates earning $68,740 after 10 years. The debt load is manageable at $16,704 median, making it financially reasonable for most students.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Illinois Chicago?
Dentistry programs lead with graduates earning over $200,000, followed by pharmacy at $111,220. Nursing and public health graduates earn around $106,000-$108,000, well above the school average.
How much student debt do University of Illinois Chicago graduates have?
UIC graduates carry a median debt of $16,704, which is below the national average. Combined with decent starting salaries, most graduates can manage their debt payments.
What is the graduation rate at University of Illinois Chicago?
UIC has a 60% graduation rate, which is concerning and below national averages. This means 4 out of 10 students don't finish their degree, creating financial risk without the earnings benefit.