UIC vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than UIC based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 33,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

UIC vs. Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or Illinois? 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 Illinois ($10,852 vs. $13,973).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 12% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($14,522 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 11.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $1,666 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.5% higher at Illinois than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $5,240 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Illinois Chicago than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (74% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 15.2% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($19,299 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. Illinois Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 180 points higher than at UIC (1240).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at UIC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Illinois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at UIC (3.41).
• UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

UIC vs. Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and Illinois? 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).

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than UIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($18,750 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($193 vs. $211).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.