Illinois College vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

Illinois College vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College or UWM? 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 Wisconsin Milwaukee than Illinois College ($16,263 vs. $17,375).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 2.8% lower than at Illinois College ($11,684 vs. $12,026).
• Illinois College is 272% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWM (about $28,278 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $10,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.7% higher at Illinois College than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (about $16,278 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $22,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 398% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($31,609 vs. $6,347).

Illinois College vs. UWM Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Illinois College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at UWM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Illinois College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 23.8% at UWM.

Illinois College vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College and UWM? 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 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $800 more per year than Illinois College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates have a $2,042 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($24,958 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UWM graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWM students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 62%)

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.