Illinois vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Grinnell College is in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Grinnell College 9:1.

Illinois vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Grinnell? 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 Grinnell ($13,973 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 13.8% lower than at Grinnell College ($14,522 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 325.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $52,102 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.9% higher at Grinnell than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $32,982 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (94% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 154.3% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($49,077 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 60 points higher than at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming Illinois students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Grinnell (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Illinois vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Grinnell? 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).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $7,330 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($13,170 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($136 vs. $211).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.