Illinois vs. Belmont

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Belmont based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 8,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Belmont University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Belmont University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Belmont University 12:1.

Illinois vs. Belmont Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Belmont? 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 Urbana Champaign than Belmont ($13,973 vs. $38,578).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 3.3% lower than at Belmont University ($14,522 vs. $15,010).
• Belmont University is 165.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $26,536 more per year; $42,540.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.1% higher at Belmont than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $7,416 more per year; $42,540.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Belmont University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (93% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Belmont University students is 24.3% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($23,992 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Belmont Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 160 points higher than at Belmont (1260).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Belmont).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Belmont University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Belmont University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Belmont - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Belmont Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Belmont students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Belmont has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 17.7% at Belmont.

Illinois vs. Belmont Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Belmont? 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 Belmont University's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than Belmont graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $1,280 lower median loan debt than Belmont graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,780).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Belmont graduates ($211 vs. $225).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Belmont students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 76%)

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.