The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
A few of the country's top schools are located in Chicago, alongside underappreciated gems like the University of Illinois in Chicago. And 17 of the midwest 24 Hispanic serving institutions are located in Illinois, most in Chicago. But don't sleep on University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. While the Fighting Illini have been decidedly mediocre in the Big 10, students can take some solice in the excellent engineering program, one of the best in the country. Considering that Chicago is the third largest city in the US and is surrounded by miles and miles (and miles) of pristine - if flat - countryside, there are relatively few quality liberal arts colleges in the state.
Net cost: The median annual cost of all students that receive any aid. This does not refer to the “sticker price”, the price listed by the college.
Earnings: The median earnings of all bachelor-level students 10 years after enrollment. This includes both students that do and do not graduate, across all majors.
Payback: The amount of time in years it takes to pay off the median net cost by the median earnings. For this calculation, the median earning of high school graduates (in the school’s home state) are deducted from the median earnings.
Earningsplus: The difference between the school’s median earnings and the median earnings for all schools in the same state.
Rankings: The ranking order is based on the economic score. The economic score is calculated using a school’s payback and earningsplus performance.
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.4 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$71,539
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $26,702
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:64%
Graduation rate:85%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#2 in Illinois|#34 in National Universities
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois
Economic score:1.03
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.8 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$80,033
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $35,196
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:10%
Graduation rate:96%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#3 in Illinois|#47 in National Universities
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, Illinois
Economic score:1.16
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$77,682
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $32,845
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:61%
Graduation rate:74%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#4 in Illinois|#55 in National Universities
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Economic score:1.28
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$76,730
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $31,893
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:8%
Graduation rate:95%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#5 in Illinois|#62 in National Universities
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Economic score:1.32
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.8 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$59,780
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $14,943
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:73%
Graduation rate:68%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#6 in Illinois|#90 in National Universities
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois
Economic score:1.68
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$59,498
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $14,661
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:61%
Graduation rate:67%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#7 in Illinois
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois
Economic score:1.81
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$53,990
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $9,153
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:80%
Graduation rate:62%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#8 in Illinois
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Economic score:2.02
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$49,747
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $4,910
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:78%
Graduation rate:55%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#9 in Illinois
Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois
Economic score:2.08
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.6 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$55,906
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $11,069
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:67%
Graduation rate:67%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#10 in Illinois|#32 in Liberal Arts
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, Illinois
Economic score:2.11
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$66,966
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $22,129
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:57%
Graduation rate:79%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#11 in Illinois
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois
Economic score:2.14
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$61,889
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $17,052
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:74%
Graduation rate:78%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#12 in Illinois|#140 in National Universities
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Edwardsville, Illinois
Economic score:2.18
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.5 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$51,671
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $6,834
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:86%
Graduation rate:54%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#13 in Illinois
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, Illinois
Economic score:2.30
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.9 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$56,183
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $11,346
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:66%
Graduation rate:67%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#14 in Illinois
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois
Economic score:2.30
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.5 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$48,796
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $3,959
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:48%
Graduation rate:60%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#15 in Illinois|#163 in National Universities
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois
Economic score:2.35
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.3 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$63,489
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $18,652
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:71%
Graduation rate:69%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#16 in Illinois|#169 in National Universities
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
Economic score:2.39
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$55,457
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $10,620
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:82%
Graduation rate:72%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#17 in Illinois|#44 in Liberal Arts
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois
Economic score:2.41
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$59,021
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $14,184
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:58%
Graduation rate:71%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#18 in Illinois
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois
Economic score:2.49
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.9 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$52,781
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $7,944
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:77%
Graduation rate:65%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#19 in Illinois
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois
Economic score:2.58
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.8 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$47,991
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $3,154
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:56%
Graduation rate:60%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#20 in Illinois|#200 in National Universities
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, Illinois
Economic score:2.60
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.1 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$52,792
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $7,955
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:60%
Graduation rate:58%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
Filters
Illinois
