Illinois vs. Cornell College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Cornell College is in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Cornell College 14:1.

Illinois vs. Cornell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Cornell 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 Cornell College ($13,973 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 18.4% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($11,850 vs. $14,522).
• Cornell College is 229% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $36,656 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.9% higher at Cornell College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $17,536 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 112.9% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($41,092 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Cornell College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 220 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Cornell College 1120/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Cornell College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Cornell College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 14.3% at Cornell College.

Illinois vs. Cornell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Cornell 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).

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $45,400), 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 Cornell College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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.