UChicago vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Chicago in Chicago, IL 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 UChicago based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 18,566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

UChicago vs. Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago 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 UChicago ($13,973 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 27.8% lower than at University of Chicago ($14,522 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 341.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $54,658 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.2% higher at UChicago than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $35,538 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign than at University of Chicago (52% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 222.8% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($62,300 vs. $19,299).

UChicago vs. Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago 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 UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 130 points higher than at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming UChicago students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 1510/1580; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Illinois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

UChicago vs. Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago 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 Chicago's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $32,000 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($14,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($149 vs. $211).
• More UChicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.