Georgia Tech vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus in Atlanta, GA 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 Georgia Tech based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 53,363 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus 17:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

Georgia Tech vs. Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Tech 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 Georgia Tech ($13,973 vs. $15,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus are 6.3% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,608 vs. $14,522).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 32.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Tech (about $3,946 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $12,058.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Illinois than at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus (about $640 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $34,484.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (71% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 39.4% larger than aid received by Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus students ($19,299 vs. $13,842).

Georgia Tech vs. Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia Tech 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 Georgia Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus (1460) is 40 points higher than at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming Georgia Tech students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Illinois (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus 1370/1540; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus 30/34; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia Tech - Required; Illinois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Tech Jan 4, 2027; Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia Tech students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than Georgia Tech (14.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.6% at Georgia Tech vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

Georgia Tech vs. Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia Tech 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 Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,600 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Georgia Tech graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia Tech graduates ($211 vs. $248).
• More Georgia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 78%)

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.