Elmhurst University vs. UIC

Deciding between Elmhurst University and University of Illinois Chicago? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Elmhurst University
University of Illinois Chicago

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL
  • UIC Chicago, IL
  • Setting
  • Elmhurst University Large Suburban
  • UIC Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Elmhurst University 3,997
  • UIC 33,906
  • Type
  • Elmhurst University Private 4 Year
  • UIC Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elmhurst University #320
  • UIC #215
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elmhurst University United Church of Christ
  • UIC -
  • Status
  • Elmhurst University Non-profit
  • UIC Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elmhurst University
  • UIC
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elmhurst University $42,955
  • UIC $14,338
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elmhurst University $42,955
  • UIC $29,884
  • Room & Board
  • Elmhurst University $14,528
  • UIC $16,500
  • Average Net Price
  • Elmhurst University $24,629
  • UIC $10,852
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elmhurst University $30,079
  • UIC $16,755
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elmhurst University 100%
  • UIC 74%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Elmhurst University 6,245
  • UIC 27,085
  • Admitted
  • Elmhurst University 4,599
  • UIC 20,951
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elmhurst University 73.6%
  • UIC 77.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Elmhurst University 12.5%
  • UIC 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elmhurst University 1130
  • UIC 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elmhurst University 26
  • UIC 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elmhurst University 3.59
  • UIC 3.41
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elmhurst University A-
  • UIC B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elmhurst University Challenging
  • UIC Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elmhurst University Low
  • UIC
  • ACT Range
  • Elmhurst University 23/30
  • UIC 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Elmhurst University 990/1260
  • UIC 1130/1350
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elmhurst University Test optional
  • UIC Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Elmhurst University
  • UIC Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elmhurst University 15:1
  • UIC 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elmhurst University
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • UIC
    • Business (16%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Engineering (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elmhurst University 70%
  • UIC 54%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elmhurst University $50,200
  • UIC $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elmhurst University 72%
  • UIC 68%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elmhurst University $21,500
  • UIC $18,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elmhurst University $222
  • UIC $193
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elmhurst University 38%
  • UIC 44%
  • % Women
  • Elmhurst University 62%
  • UIC 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elmhurst University Medium
  • UIC Very High
  • HBCU
  • Elmhurst University No
  • UIC No
  • % White
  • Elmhurst University 67%
  • UIC 34%
  • % Asian
  • Elmhurst University 6%
  • UIC 22%
  • % Black
  • Elmhurst University 5%
  • UIC 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elmhurst University 17%
  • UIC 28%
  • % Native American
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • UIC 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • UIC 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elmhurst University 3%
  • UIC 3%
  • % International
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • UIC 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elmhurst University 2%
  • UIC 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elmhurst University 82%
  • UIC 89%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elmhurst University 18%
  • UIC 4%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Elmhurst University Yes
  • UIC Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Elmhurst University No
  • UIC No
  • Meal Plan
  • Elmhurst University Yes
  • UIC Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Elmhurst University Yes
  • UIC No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Elmhurst University Yes
  • UIC Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, IL with University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Elmhurst University based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 3,997 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elmhurst University is located in Elmhurst, IL (Large Suburban setting); University of Illinois Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
  • Elmhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmhurst University 15:1; University of Illinois Chicago 17:1.

Elmhurst University vs. UIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elmhurst University or UIC? 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 Chicago than Elmhurst University ($10,852 vs. $24,629).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmhurst University are 12% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($14,528 vs. $16,500).
  • Elmhurst University is 199.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $28,617 more per year; $42,955.00 vs. $14,338.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 43.7% higher at Elmhurst University than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $13,071 more per year; $42,955.00 vs. $29,884.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmhurst University than at University of Illinois Chicago (100% vs. 74%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elmhurst University students is 79.5% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($30,079 vs. $16,755).

Elmhurst University vs. UIC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elmhurst University or UIC? 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 UIC and Elmhurst University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 110 points higher than at Elmhurst University (1130).
  • Incoming UIC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Elmhurst University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmhurst University 990/1260; University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmhurst University 23/30; University of Illinois Chicago 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elmhurst University - Test optional; UIC - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Elmhurst University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at UIC (3.41).
  • UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Elmhurst University (73.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Elmhurst University vs. 21.1% at UIC.

Elmhurst University vs. UIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elmhurst University and UIC? 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).

  • Elmhurst University's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
  • Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than Elmhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $50,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Elmhurst University graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elmhurst University graduates ($193 vs. $222).
  • More Elmhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 68%)

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.