UCI vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Irvine in Irvine, 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 UCI based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 37,297 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• University of California Irvine 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 Irvine 19:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

UCI vs. Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI 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 UCI ($13,973 vs. $15,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 23.5% lower than at University of California Irvine ($14,522 vs. $18,991).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $282 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.1% higher at UCI than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $14,798 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Irvine than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (55% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 19.7% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($23,110 vs. $19,299).

UCI vs. Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI 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 UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 90 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at UCI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Illinois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at UCI (3.75).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

UCI vs. Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI 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 Irvine's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($175 vs. $211).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCI students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 76%)

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.