Illinois vs. Butler

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Butler based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 5,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Butler University is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Butler University 11:1.

Illinois vs. Butler Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Butler? 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 Butler ($13,973 vs. $38,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 11.6% lower than at Butler University ($14,522 vs. $16,430).
• Butler University is 197.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $31,556 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.4% higher at Butler than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $12,436 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (97% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 44% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($27,790 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Butler Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 160 points higher than at Butler (1260).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Butler).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Butler University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Butler University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Butler - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Butler Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Butler has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 12.9% at Butler.

Illinois vs. Butler Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Butler? 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 Butler University's (72%).
• Graduates from Butler University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,400 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 78%)

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.