UIC vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

UIC vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or ONU? 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 ONU ($10,852 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Northern University are 11.5% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($14,604 vs. $16,500).
• Ohio Northern University is 177.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $25,462 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.2% higher at ONU than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $9,916 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at University of Illinois Chicago (97% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 65.3% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($27,696 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. ONU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio Northern University (1290) is 50 points higher than at UIC (1240).
• Incoming UIC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at UIC (3.41).
• UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than ONU (74.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 19.9% at ONU.

UIC vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and ONU? 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).

• Ohio Northern University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than UIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $61,900), 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 ONU graduates ($18,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($193 vs. $279).
• More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.