Arkansas vs. Illinois College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 942 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); Illinois College is in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting).
• University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; Illinois College 12:1.

Arkansas vs. Illinois College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or Illinois College? 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 Arkansas ($17,375 vs. $18,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois College are 15.6% lower than at University of Arkansas ($12,026 vs. $14,244).
• Illinois College is 282.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $28,572 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at Illinois College than at University of Arkansas (about $8,710 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $29,966.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at University of Arkansas (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 259% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($31,609 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. Illinois College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas or Illinois College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Illinois College and Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Arkansas (1130) is 100 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming Arkansas students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Illinois College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; Illinois College 883/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Arkansas 21/28; Illinois College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; Illinois College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Arkansas students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Illinois College (3.63).
• Illinois College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 8.2% at Illinois College.

Arkansas vs. Illinois College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas and Illinois College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Illinois College's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Illinois College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas 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.