Engineering-Related Fields at University of Illinois Chicago

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 puts this program in reasonable territory—based on comparable engineering-related programs nationally, graduates would need about four and a half months of their first year's salary to cover typical borrowing. That's manageable math, though it's worth noting that the single Illinois school with actual reported data shows graduates earning about $3,200 more in their first year. Whether UIC's program performs similarly to that benchmark or closer to the national average matters significantly when you're evaluating the investment.

The bigger question is what "engineering-related" actually encompasses at UIC. These programs vary dramatically—from engineering technology and materials science to construction management and surveying. Peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $69,000, but that's an average across quite different career paths with different trajectories. Half of UIC's students receive Pell grants, suggesting strong access for lower-income students, but without program-specific outcomes, you're making a bet on which specific engineering-related concentration your child pursues and how well UIC's version prepares them compared to alternatives.

Before committing, get specific about the actual major within this umbrella category and research employment pipelines. The estimated numbers suggest decent value if the debt proves accurate and earnings align with peers, but in Chicago's competitive engineering market, understanding exactly what degree your child would earn—and where similar graduates land—is essential.