UIC vs. UL Lafayette

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than UL Lafayette based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 15,665 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Louisiana at Lafayette is in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1.

UIC vs. UL Lafayette Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or UL Lafayette? 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 UL Lafayette ($10,852 vs. $13,017).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are 26.6% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($12,108 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 37.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UL Lafayette (about $3,920 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $10,418.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at UIC than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (about $5,738 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $24,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette than at University of Illinois Chicago (91% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 42.5% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students ($16,755 vs. $11,762).

UIC vs. UL Lafayette Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC or UL Lafayette? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UL Lafayette and UIC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 60 points higher than at UL Lafayette (1180).
• Incoming UIC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 25 at UL Lafayette).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; UL Lafayette - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UIC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• UL Lafayette has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 31.7% at UL Lafayette.

UIC vs. UL Lafayette Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and UL Lafayette? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Illinois Chicago's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Lafayette's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than UL Lafayette graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $45,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than UL Lafayette graduates ($18,750 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UL Lafayette graduates ($193 vs. $201).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 55%)

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.