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Is Chicago State University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Chicago State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
Chicago State sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $42,778 helps, but median debt of $30,625 plus yearly net price of $12,335 creates a tighter path. For context, Chicago State's net price is about 25% below the typical 4-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$9,852
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis helps your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $3,303 less per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $13,000 in savings.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$12,335
Median earnings 10 years out
$42,778
Median debt at graduation
$30,625
Graduation rate
16%
At Chicago State, a typical graduate carries about $30,625 in student debt and earns roughly $42,778 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $348 per month, or 10% of pre-tax income. That sits at the tighter end of a workable borrower range.
What this means for your family
Chicago State is a public four year school in Chicago, IL. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Governors State
University Park, IL
Worth-It Score: 61/100
Median net price: $12,329
Public 4-year
Eastern Illinois
Charleston, IL
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $12,786
Public 4-year
Western Illinois
Macomb, IL
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $12,937
Public 4-year
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL
Worth-It Score: 69/100
Median net price: $13,297
Public 4-year
Northern Illinois
Dekalb, IL
Worth-It Score: 66/100
Median net price: $13,391
Common questions about Chicago State
The median net price at Chicago State is $12,335 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Illinois? See the most affordable public universities in Illinois →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →