Chicago, Illinois Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Chicago, Illinois: median public in-state tuition $15,000 (+172.1% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $52,234 (-4.0% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 89.0% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $13,598 (+2.5% vs U.S.) 113,950 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 66 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 113,950 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $15,000 (+172.1% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $52,234 (-4.0% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 89.0% (+1.0 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $17,805 (+78.6% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $13,598 (+2.5% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $14,211
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 59.7%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 75.7%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Chicago serve students across Illinois with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 66 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 113,950 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $15,000. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Chicago, Illinois and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Chicago vs Illinois & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, Illinois | $15,000 | $17,805 | $13,598 | 59.7% | 113,950 |
| Illinois (state median) | $4,788 | $7,399 | $10,670 | 56.0% | 467,073 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Chicago, Illinois vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, Illinois | $52,234 | 89.0% | 75.7% | 4.4% | — | 70.5% | 0.40 |
| Illinois (state median) | $57,988 | 92.5% | 75.0% | 4.2% | — | 74.5% | 0.40 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Illinois (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, Illinois | $15,000 | $17,805 | $13,598 | 59.7% | 113,950 | $52,234 | 89.0% |
| Champaign | $10,144 | $11,202 | $14,024 | 85.1% | 39,606 | $81,054 | 93.2% |
| Lisle | $26,674 | $27,060 | $22,500 | 43.5% | 30,923 | $63,446 | 91.5% |
| Normal | $10,847 | $19,398 | $7,826 | 64.5% | 22,225 | $62,117 | 95.4% |
| Dekalb | $13,248 | $12,762 | $15,040 | 48.7% | 11,400 | $57,808 | 92.7% |
| Joliet | $21,320 | $13,140 | $9,711 | 66.8% | 10,609 | $63,926 | 94.1% |
| Evanston | $68,322 | $29,167 | $15,000 | 95.1% | 9,201 | $89,363 | 85.7% |
| Springfield | $12,075 | $16,000 | $10,256 | 53.2% | 8,016 | $57,103 | 92.0% |
| Springfield | $12,075 | $16,000 | $10,256 | 53.2% | 8,016 | $57,103 | 92.0% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Outcomes by sector in Chicago, Illinois
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 12 | $53,684 | 88.2% | 78.7% | 4.2% | — | 71.1% |
| Public | 3 | $52,234 | 89.0% | 57.3% | 5.3% | — | 69.9% |
Top 10 colleges in Chicago, Illinois by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 95.9%, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
-
Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 75.2%, Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 73.0%, Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 67.8%, DePaul University
DePaul University
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Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 67.0%, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
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Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 62.3%, Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute
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Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 61.6%, University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
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Rank 8, Graduation Rate, 57.7%, North Park University
North Park University
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Rank 9, Graduation Rate, 56.6%, Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University
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Rank 10, Graduation Rate, 51.5%, Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago
Top 10 colleges in Chicago, Illinois by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 92.0%, Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 91.2%, University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 90.3%, Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 90.1%, DePaul University
DePaul University
-
Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 89.9%, Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 89.3%, North Park University
North Park University
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 89.1%, Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
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Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 89.0%, Chicago State University
Chicago State University
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Rank 9, Employment Outcome, 88.4%, Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
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Rank 10, Employment Outcome, 87.3%, National Louis University
National Louis University
Top 10 most selective colleges in Chicago, Illinois (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 4.5%, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 43.3%, Chicago State University
Chicago State University
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 54.9%, Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 68.5%, North Park University
North Park University
-
Rank 5, Admission Rate, 74.6%, Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
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Rank 6, Admission Rate, 75.9%, DePaul University
DePaul University
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Rank 7, Admission Rate, 77.3%, University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
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Rank 8, Admission Rate, 77.5%, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
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Rank 9, Admission Rate, 81.6%, Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
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Rank 10, Admission Rate, 82.7%, Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute
Top 10 colleges in Chicago, Illinois by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $117,578, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $86,005, Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $84,066, DePaul University
DePaul University
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $78,285, Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $78,040, University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $76,869, Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
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Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $75,231, Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University
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Rank 8, Entry-Level Earnings, $73,846, North Park University
North Park University
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Rank 9, Entry-Level Earnings, $63,869, Chicago State University
Chicago State University
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Rank 10, Entry-Level Earnings, $63,615, Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
Top 10 colleges in Chicago, Illinois by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $178,068, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $120,953, Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $120,470, University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $113,645, DePaul University
DePaul University
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $103,884, Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $92,024, Chicago State University
Chicago State University
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Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $88,917, Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
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Rank 8, Early-Career Earnings, $87,170, Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University
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Rank 9, Early-Career Earnings, $86,581, North Park University
North Park University
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Rank 10, Early-Career Earnings, $75,716, Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University
Top 10 colleges in Chicago, Illinois by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $80,870, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $70,803, Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $58,411, Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $54,695, DePaul University
DePaul University
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $53,218, University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $50,784, Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $49,326, North Park University
North Park University
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Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $43,801, Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
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Rank 9, Mid-Career Earnings, $43,562, National Louis University
National Louis University
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Rank 10, Mid-Career Earnings, $42,896, Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University
Top 10 colleges in Chicago, Illinois by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $87,164, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $77,282, Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $66,297, Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $62,341, DePaul University
DePaul University
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $61,779, University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $56,175, Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $53,586, North Park University
North Park University
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Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $47,923, Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
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Rank 9, 8-Yr Earnings, $47,124, Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University
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Rank 10, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,485, National Louis University
National Louis University
Top 10 colleges in Chicago, Illinois by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $91,885, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $82,592, Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $71,530, Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $68,751, DePaul University
DePaul University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $68,740, University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $59,572, North Park University
North Park University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $58,656, Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University
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Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $52,234, Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
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Rank 9, 10-Yr Earnings, $48,712, Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University
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Rank 10, 10-Yr Earnings, $45,799, National Louis University
National Louis University
Top 10 colleges in Chicago, Illinois by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $359,160, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $292,532, Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $251,625, University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $221,660, Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $185,779, North Park University
North Park University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $169,354, Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $159,806, National Louis University
National Louis University
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $155,341, DePaul University
DePaul University
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Rank 9, 10-Yr ROI, $147,110, Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
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Rank 10, 10-Yr ROI, $133,450, Chicago State University
Chicago State University
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Chicago, Illinois (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $10,974, University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
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Rank 2, Net Price, $10,970, Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University
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Rank 3, Net Price, $12,335, Chicago State University
Chicago State University
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Rank 4, Net Price, $12,641, National Louis University
National Louis University
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Rank 5, Net Price, $14,860, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
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Rank 6, Net Price, $14,109, Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
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Rank 7, Net Price, $16,948, North Park University
North Park University
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Rank 8, Net Price, $18,425, Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
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Rank 9, Net Price, $20,194, Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University
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Rank 10, Net Price, $21,697, East-West University
East-West University
Top 10 colleges in Chicago, Illinois by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 99.3%, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 86.0%, Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 85.5%, DePaul University
DePaul University
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 83.9%, Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute
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Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 83.8%, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
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Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 81.7%, Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
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Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 80.2%, University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
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Rank 8, First-Year Retention, 75.7%, Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University
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Rank 9, First-Year Retention, 66.0%, Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago
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Rank 10, First-Year Retention, 61.7%, North Park University
North Park University
In-state tuition: Chicago, Illinois vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Chicago, Illinois median in-state tuition is $15,000, +172.1% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Chicago, Illinois vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Chicago, Illinois is $13,598 (+2.5% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $14,211.
Median earnings (10 years out): Chicago, Illinois vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Chicago, Illinois center around $52,234 (-4.0% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Chicago, Illinois vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 89.0% at the median Chicago, Illinois campus (+1.0 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Chicago, Illinois median public in-state tuition is $15,000, about +172.1% vs the national median. Versus the Great Lakes region, tuition is +166.7%.
Median graduate debt is $13,598 (+2.5% above the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Chicago, Illinois are $52,234, about -4.0% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 89.0% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (+1.0 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 75.7% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 4.4% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 70.5% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Saint Xavier University (92.0%), University of Illinois Chicago (91.2%), Loyola University Chicago (90.3%), DePaul University (90.1%), Roosevelt University (89.9%), North Park University (89.3%), Illinois Institute of Technology (89.1%), Chicago State University (89.0%), Northeastern Illinois University (88.4%), National Louis University (87.3%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Chicago, Illinois, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $53,684 (12 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $52,234 (3 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Chicago, Illinois is 59.7% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Chicago?
This city profile covers 66 campuses in Chicago, Illinois with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Chicago?
Median in-state tuition in Chicago is $15,000 and median net price is $17,805. For Illinois overall, medians are $4,788 and $7,399; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Chicago?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Chicago is $52,234 vs $57,988 for Illinois and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Chicago colleges?
Median completer debt in Chicago is $13,598 vs $10,670 for Illinois and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Chicago?
Top campuses on this page include University of Chicago (graduation) and University of Chicago (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Chicago?
Among 66 campuses in Chicago, Illinois, 23 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Cannella School of Hair Design-Chicago, The Chicago School at Chicago, and City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College; 12 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (4), United Church of Christ (1), Evangelical Lutheran Church (1).
Sources & related
- Illinois college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON