UCSD vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, 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 UCSD based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 44,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

UCSD vs. Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 UCSD ($13,973 vs. $14,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 23.4% lower than at University of California San Diego ($14,522 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $754 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.1% higher at UCSD than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $15,834 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (59% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 33.5% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($25,757 vs. $19,299).

UCSD vs. Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 40 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Illinois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

UCSD vs. Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($18,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($191 vs. $211).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.