UIC vs. UM-Dearborn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than UM-Dearborn based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 8,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Michigan Dearborn is in Dearborn, MI (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Michigan Dearborn is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; University of Michigan Dearborn 16:1.

UIC vs. UM-Dearborn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or UM-Dearborn? 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 UM-Dearborn ($10,852 vs. $11,521).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 31.9% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($11,241 vs. $16,500).
• University of Michigan Dearborn is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $1,302 more per year; $15,640.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at UM-Dearborn than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $3,012 more per year; $32,896.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Dearborn than at University of Illinois Chicago (99% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 38.2% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students ($16,755 vs. $12,124).

UIC vs. UM-Dearborn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC or UM-Dearborn? 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 UM-Dearborn and UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 120 points higher than at UM-Dearborn (1120).
• Incoming UIC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UM-Dearborn).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; University of Michigan Dearborn 990/1255.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; University of Michigan Dearborn 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; UM-Dearborn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UM-Dearborn students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UIC (3.41).
• UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than UM-Dearborn (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 14.2% at UM-Dearborn.

UIC vs. UM-Dearborn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and UM-Dearborn? 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 Chicago's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of Michigan Dearborn's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than UM-Dearborn graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $52,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than UM-Dearborn graduates ($18,750 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Dearborn graduates ($193 vs. $266).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 46%)

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.