UIC vs. Cornell College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Cornell College is in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Cornell College 14:1.

UIC vs. Cornell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or Cornell 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 University of Illinois Chicago than Cornell College ($10,852 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 28.2% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($11,850 vs. $16,500).
• Cornell College is 267.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $38,322 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.2% higher at Cornell College than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $22,776 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at University of Illinois Chicago (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 145.3% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($41,092 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. Cornell College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC or Cornell College? 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 Cornell College and UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 40 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming UIC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Cornell College 1120/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Cornell College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Cornell College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at UIC (3.41).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 14.3% at Cornell College.

UIC vs. Cornell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and Cornell College? 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).

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($18,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($193 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 68%)

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.