ATU vs. Illinois College

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Illinois College is in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Illinois College 12:1.

ATU vs. Illinois College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or Illinois College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas Tech University than Illinois College ($12,626 vs. $17,375).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 14% lower than at Illinois College ($10,338 vs. $12,026).
• Illinois College is 345.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $30,002 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.7% higher at Illinois College than at Arkansas Tech University (about $24,008 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at Arkansas Tech University (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 219.3% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($31,609 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. Illinois College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or Illinois College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Illinois College and ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois College (1030) is 40 points higher than at ATU (990).
• Incoming Illinois College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at ATU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; Illinois College 883/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; Illinois College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; Illinois College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at ATU (3.37).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Illinois College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 8.2% at Illinois College.

ATU vs. Illinois College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and Illinois College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Illinois College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Arkansas Tech University's (43%).
• Graduates from Illinois College earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($17,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($183 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.