Illinois vs. Centre College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with Centre College in Danville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Centre College based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Centre College is in Danville, KY (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centre College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Centre College 10:1.

Illinois vs. Centre College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Centre 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 Urbana Champaign than Centre College ($13,973 vs. $23,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 0.8% lower than at Centre College ($14,522 vs. $14,640).
• Centre College is 230% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $36,816 more per year; $52,820.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.4% higher at Centre College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $17,696 more per year; $52,820.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centre College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Centre College students is 128.1% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($44,015 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Centre College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or Centre 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 Centre College and Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 110 points higher than at Centre College (1310).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Centre College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Centre College 1160/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Centre College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Centre College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Centre College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Centre College (3.62).
• Centre College has a higher acceptance rate (54.4%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 19.4% at Centre College.

Illinois vs. Centre College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Centre 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).

• The graduation rate at Illinois is the same as at Centre College (82% vs. 82%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Centre College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $52,500), 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 Centre College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centre College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Centre College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.