University of Illinois Chicago
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $26,226 |
| Tuition & Fees | $7,326 |
| Living Expenses | $18,900 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $5,726 |
Cover Your $5,726 Gap
University of Illinois Chicago Graduate Studies — Public Administration (MPA) students typically need $5,726 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Moderate gap — plan ahead
A $5,726/year gap adds up to $11,452 over the full program. This requires intentional planning but is manageable with the right strategy.
- Contact the financial aid office — many schools offer institutional grants for students with demonstrated need
- Look into graduate assistantships, which often include tuition waivers
- Compare private loan options — rates vary significantly by lender and credit profile
- Consider whether in-state residency (if applicable) would reduce your costs
Need help navigating financial aid? Start with FAFSA
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for University of Illinois Chicago Graduate Studies — Public Administration (MPA) students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), University of Illinois Chicago Graduate Studies — Public Administration (MPA) students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for University of Illinois Chicago?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does University of Illinois Chicago Graduate Studies — Public Administration (MPA) cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for University of Illinois Chicago Graduate Studies — Public Administration (MPA) is $26,226 per year. Over the full 2-year program, the total cost is $52,452.
What is the funding gap for University of Illinois Chicago Graduate Studies — Public Administration (MPA)?
The annual funding gap is $5,726, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($26,226) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 2-year program, the total gap is $11,452. This is below the national median of $15,305 for Graduate (General) programs.
Is University of Illinois Chicago Graduate Studies — Public Administration (MPA) classified as graduate or professional?
University of Illinois Chicago Graduate Studies — Public Administration (MPA) is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
Related Articles
What the OBBBA Means for Graduate Students
The 2026 law eliminates Grad PLUS loans and sets a $20,500/year cap. Here's what changes and what doesn't.
Read more →How to Fund the Gap Without Grad PLUS
Scholarships, assistantships, private loans, and employer programs — a practical guide to covering unfunded costs.
Read more →Private Student Loans: What to Know in 2026
Credit requirements, cosigner impact, and how to compare rates across lenders.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from University of Illinois Chicago’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 145600.
- Program classification: MPA is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.