University of Illinois Springfield
University of Illinois Springfield — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Illinois Springfield at a Glance
The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) is a public university in Springfield, Illinois, United States. The university was established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1969 as Sangamon State University. It became the third member of the University of Illinois System on July 1, 1995. The university served 4,364 students as of fall 2025 with 49 bachelor's degree programs, 51 master's degree programs, 1 doctoral degree program, 47 graduate certificates, and coursework that leads to six ISBE…
1969
57 years old
4,364
2,337 undergrad · 2,027 grad
533
746 acres
Identity
Is University of Illinois Springfield Worth It?
University of Illinois Springfield is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $9,833/year net price and $57,103 median earnings, graduates earn 5.8× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: University of Illinois Springfield delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of Illinois Springfield compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 81 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Illinois Springfield's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Illinois Springfield
The highest-earning program at University of Illinois Springfield is Computer Science at $56,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $26,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of Illinois Springfield earns $56,700, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $26,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $19,046 in median debt vs. $19,157 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,833/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $56,700 | $56,700 | $19,046 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,100 | $46,100 | $19,942 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,500 | $39,500 | $20,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,200 | $36,200 | $20,377 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,100 | $33,100 | $19,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,500 | $29,500 | $21,157 |
| Social Work | $28,900 | $28,900 | $20,270 |
| Psychology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $19,157 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Springfield, IL
- Student Body
- 2,263 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,833
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,103
- Median Student Debt
- $19,128