UIC vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with Stephens College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Stephens College 8:1.

UIC vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or Stephens 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 Stephens College ($10,852 vs. $23,194).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephens College are 19% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($13,366 vs. $16,500).
• Stephens College is 97.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $13,962 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at UIC than at Stephens College (about $1,584 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College than at University of Illinois Chicago (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 39.3% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($23,341 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 40 points higher than at Stephens College (1200).
• Incoming UIC students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UIC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

UIC vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and Stephens 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).

• Stephens College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $24,500 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $37,400), 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 Stephens College graduates ($18,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($193 vs. $279).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 63%)

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.