Illinois College vs. KU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL with University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kansas is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); University of Kansas is in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; University of Kansas 18:1.

Illinois College vs. KU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College or KU? 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 Illinois College than KU ($17,375 vs. $19,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 5.6% lower than at Illinois College ($11,358 vs. $12,026).
• Illinois College is 219.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than KU (about $26,574 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $12,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at Illinois College than at University of Kansas (about $8,244 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $30,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at University of Kansas (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 173.9% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($31,609 vs. $11,541).

Illinois College vs. KU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kansas (1190) is 160 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming KU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Illinois College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; University of Kansas 1070/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; University of Kansas 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; KU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Illinois College (3.63).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Illinois College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 25.5% at KU.

Illinois College vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College and KU? 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 Kansas's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Illinois College's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Illinois College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 66%)

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.