UC Berkeley vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA 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 UC Berkeley based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 45,882 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• University of California Berkeley 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: University of California Berkeley 18:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley ($13,973 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 38.9% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($14,522 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Berkeley is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $343 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.9% higher at UC Berkeley than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $15,423 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Berkeley than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (53% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 53.4% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($29,608 vs. $19,299).

UC Berkeley vs. Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is the same as at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming UC Berkeley 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: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Illinois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

UC Berkeley vs. Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley 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 California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $6,300 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($14,200 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($146 vs. $211).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.