UIC vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

UIC vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College ($10,852 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College are 13.6% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($14,260 vs. $16,500).
• Saint Mary's College is 271.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $38,892 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.1% higher at St. Mary's College than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $23,346 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at University of Illinois Chicago (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 131.3% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($38,748 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC or St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College and UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 10 points higher than at St. Mary's College (1230).
• Incoming UIC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at St. Mary's College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UIC (3.41).
• UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

UIC vs. St. Mary's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and St. Mary's 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than St. Mary's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $51,100), 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 St. Mary's College graduates ($18,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($193 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.