IIT vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than IIT based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 8,834 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

IIT vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IIT or UC? 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 Cincinnati Main Campus than IIT ($24,696 vs. $24,796).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 21.8% lower than at Illinois Institute of Technology ($13,564 vs. $17,356).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is 274.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $38,410 more per year; $52,386.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.7% higher at IIT than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $23,076 more per year; $52,386.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students is 443.5% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($44,547 vs. $8,196).

IIT vs. UC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IIT or UC? 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 UC and IIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Institute of Technology (1310) is 40 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming IIT students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 1180/1440; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 26/32; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IIT - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IIT students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than IIT (54.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 22.5% at UC.

IIT vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IIT and UC? 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 Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Illinois Institute of Technology earn a median of about $33,700 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,300 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than IIT graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IIT graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More IIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 57%)

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.