# Value of Illinois
**Source**: https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/invest/value
**Parent**: https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply
Worth It.
## The Value of an Illinois Degree
When you graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, you graduate with a world-renowned legacy behind you.
#1\
return on investment in the Big Ten *(PayScale)*
5★\
university for combining quality and affordability *(Money)*
#10\
best value public university \
*(Princeton Review)*
29\
Pulitzer and 26 Nobel Prize winners among faculty and alumni
## Benefits of a College Education
### College helps you learn more about yourself.
You'll discover passions, gain fresh insights, and meet new people. You'll also have a chance to flex your independence. As you embrace the resources and opportunities that surround you, college is a great place to grow!
### College opens doors professionally.
Data consistently shows that as you increase your education level, salaries grow and unemployment rates dwindle.
*Table Source: [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm)*
#### Unemployment Rates & Earning by Education
| | Median Weekly Earning | Unemployment Rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Doctoral | $2,278 | 1.2% |
| Professional | $2,363 | 1.3% |
| Master's | $1,840 | 2.2% |
| Bachelor's | $1,543 | 2.5% |
| Associate's | $1,099 | 2.8% |
| Some College, No Degree | $1,020 | 3.8% |
| High School Diploma | $930 | 4.2% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | $738 | 6.2% |
| Average | $1,221 | 3.3% |
## What Sets Us Apart
We're a diverse, vibrant campus with a reputation for excellence and opportunity. Our students and faculty are known for doing amazing things, and you can see it across all areas of the university!
### Stellar Programs
Whatever you want to study, we likely have it—including some of the [top programs in the nation!](https://illinois.edu/about/rankings.html) With ever-growing [major options](https://myillini.illinois.edu/Programs) and [class choices](https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/discover/academics/classes), we're constantly expanding our horizons to elevate your academic experience.
### Cutting-Edge Research
Life-changing [research](https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/discover/academics/research) is being done across all disciplines here, and you can [get involved right away](https://undergradresearch.illinois.edu)! Work with renowned faculty in state-of-the-art labs, intern at [Research Park](https://researchpark.illinois.edu), or start your own business through [iVenture Accelerator](http://iventure.illinois.edu).
### Award-Winning Faculty
Our [professors](https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/discover/academics/professors) are renowned in their fields and constantly finding new ways to change the world through their teaching and research—and they're always ready and willing to help you!
### Amazing Internships & Connections
[Jobs and internships](https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/jobs) abound at Illinois, whether you want to work on campus or with a Fortune 500 company—or with a Fortune 500 company on campus! Plus your options only expand upon graduation, with over [500,000 living alumni](https://uiaa.org/) excited to help you make connections.
## Retention & Graduation Rates
How do we compare to others when it comes to graduation and retention? Here's everything you need to know!
### First-Year Retention Rate
- Us:
94%
- All Public Universities:
78%
### Six-Year Graduation Rate
- Us:
85%
- All Public Universities:
64%
*Sources: [National Student Clearinghouse](https://nscresearchcenter.org/persistence-retention/) and [National Center for Education Statistics](https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/ctr/undergrad-retention-graduation)*
## Illini Success
Our graduates succeed at the highest levels. In fact, 92 Fortune 100 companies recruit Illini, and 95% of students are employed or continuing their education within 6 months of graduating. Discover more Illini achievements!
[Get Stats](https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/Discover/illini-success)