UIC vs. Wheaton College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Wheaton College is in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Wheaton College 10:1.

UIC vs. Wheaton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or Wheaton College? 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 Wheaton College ($10,852 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 21.2% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($13,010 vs. $16,500).
• Wheaton College is 217.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $31,208 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.4% higher at Wheaton College than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $15,662 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at University of Illinois Chicago (98% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College students is 67% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($27,987 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. Wheaton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 130 points higher than at UIC (1240).
• Incoming Wheaton College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at UIC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Wheaton College 1260/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Wheaton College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Wheaton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UIC (3.41).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 29.9% at Wheaton College.

UIC vs. Wheaton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and Wheaton College? 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($18,750 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($193 vs. $232).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.