Head-to-head comparison
Illinois State University vs DePaul University: which has better ROI?
Option A Normal, IL
Illinois State University
- Net price / year
- $19,398
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,117
- Payback
- 5.6 yrs
Option B Chicago, IL
DePaul University
- Net price / year
- $30,902
- Earnings, 10 years
- $68,751
- Payback
- 6.1 yrs
Illinois State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,592 in 5.6 years versus 6.1 years at DePaul University, on median earnings of $62,117 vs $68,751 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Illinois State University | DePaul University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,398 | $30,902 |
| Total net cost | $77,592 | $123,608 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,117 | $68,751 |
| Median debt | $20,482 | $23,168 |
| Payback | 5.6 yrs | 6.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $197,548 | $284,212 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Illinois State University or DePaul University?
Illinois State University, at $19,398 a year after aid versus $30,902 — a gap of $11,504 a year, or $46,016 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Illinois State University or DePaul University graduates earn more?
DePaul University graduates report a median $68,751 ten years after entry, $6,634 more than the $62,117 at Illinois State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Illinois State University or DePaul University?
Illinois State University: its completers carry a median $20,482 in federal loans versus $23,168 at DePaul University, a difference of $2,686. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at DePaul University, against 65% at Illinois State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.