UIC vs. Nebraska

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Nebraska based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 24,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UIC vs. Nebraska Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or Nebraska? 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 Nebraska ($10,852 vs. $18,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska Lincoln are 14.4% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($14,120 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 37.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska (about $3,904 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $10,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at UIC than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $1,300 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $28,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at University of Illinois Chicago (94% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 59% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students ($16,755 vs. $10,541).

UIC vs. Nebraska Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 30 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
• Incoming UIC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Nebraska).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Nebraska - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nebraska students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at UIC (3.41).
• Nebraska has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

UIC vs. Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and Nebraska? 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 Nebraska Lincoln's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Nebraska graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $2,950 lower median loan debt than Nebraska graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,700).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nebraska graduates ($193 vs. $224).
• More Nebraska graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.