Bradley vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare Bradley University in Peoria, IL with University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Bradley based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 4,777 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bradley University is located in Peoria, IL (Midsize City setting); University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• Bradley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bradley University 11:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

Bradley vs. Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bradley or Illinois? 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 University of Illinois Urbana Champaign than Bradley ($13,973 vs. $23,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bradley University are 7% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,500 vs. $14,522).
• Bradley University is 163.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $26,156 more per year; $42,160.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20% higher at Bradley than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $7,036 more per year; $42,160.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bradley University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bradley University students is 59.6% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($30,808 vs. $19,299).

Bradley vs. Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bradley or Illinois? 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 and Bradley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 220 points higher than at Bradley (1200).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Bradley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bradley University 1090/1300; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bradley University 25/31; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bradley - Test-free; Illinois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bradley students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Bradley has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Bradley vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

Bradley vs. Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bradley and Illinois? 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).

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Bradley University's (75%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Bradley graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $56,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Bradley graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bradley graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bradley students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 75%)

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.