UIC vs. University at Albany- SUNY

Should I go to University of Illinois at Chicago or SUNY at Albany? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UIC or University at Albany- SUNY is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

UB Loyola Binghamton University IIT State University of New York at New Paltz Northern Illinois ISU SUNY College at Oneonta Illinois ISU UC Michigan State
University of Illinois at Chicago vs. SUNY at Albany comparison
University of Illinois at Chicago SUNY at Albany College 3 College 4
University of Illinois at Chicago SUNY at Albany
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 UIC University at Albany- SUNY
Location Chicago, IL Albany, NY
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 33,522 16,880
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #198 #242
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uic.edu albany.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 UIC University at Albany- SUNY
Tuition (In State) $11,178 $7,070
Tuition (Out of State) $26,200 $25,660
Room & Board $14,600 $16,182
Avg Net Price $11,499 $19,165
Avg Grant Aid $15,421 $9,747
% Receiving Grant Aid 72% 93%

Admission

 UIC University at Albany- SUNY
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,420 30,740
Admitted 19,955 21,477
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 69.9%
Enrolled % 23.3% 13.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/32 22/31
SAT Range 1120/1340 1120/1320
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

 UIC University at Albany- SUNY
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Social Sciences (20%)
  • English and Literature (14%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Biology (9%)

Outcomes

 UIC University at Albany- SUNY
Graduation Rate 54% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,900 $55,800
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,750 $21,065
Median Loan Payment $193 $217

Diversity

 UIC University at Albany- SUNY
% Men 14% 11%
% Women 20% 17%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 34% 49%
% Black 8% 16%
% Hispanic 28% 15%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 UIC University at Albany- SUNY
% In-State 89% 93%
% Out-of-State 4% 4%

Campus

 UIC University at Albany- SUNY
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Illinois at Chicago is larger than than University at Albany- SUNY based on total student enrollment (33,522 students vs. 16,880 students)

UIC vs. University at Albany- SUNY Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or University at Albany- SUNY?

  • University of Illinois at Chicago is 58.1% more expensive to attend than University at Albany- SUNY for in-state tuition ($11,178.00 vs. $7,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.1% higher at UIC than SUNY at Albany ($26,200.00 vs. $25,660.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Illinois at Chicago than University at Albany- SUNY ($11,499 vs. $19,165)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois at Chicago are 10.8% lower than costs at SUNY at Albany ($14,600 vs. $16,182)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at SUNY at Albany than University of Illinois at Chicago (93% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois at Chicago students is 58.2% larger than aid received SUNY at Albany ($15,421 vs. $9,747)

UIC vs. University at Albany- SUNY Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC or University at Albany- SUNY? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University at Albany- SUNY or UIC .

  • The average SAT score at University of Illinois at Chicago (1092) is 1 points higher than at University at Albany- SUNY (1091)
  • Incoming UIC students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at University at Albany- SUNY (24)
  • Accepted freshman UIC students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3)
  • UIC has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than University at Albany- SUNY (69.9%)

UIC vs. University at Albany- SUNY Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UIC or University at Albany- SUNY? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University at Albany- SUNY and UIC.

  • The graduation rate at University at Albany- SUNY is higher than University of Illinois at Chicago (64% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from University of Illinois at Chicago earn on average $6,100 more per year than University at Albany- SUNY graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $55,800)
  • University of Illinois at Chicago students graduate with a $2,315 lower median federal student loan debt than University at Albany- SUNY graduates. ($18,750 vs. $21,065)
  • UIC graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than University at Albany- SUNY graduates. ($193 vs. $217)
  • More University at Albany- SUNY graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/