Illinois vs. Harper

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Harper based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 13,988 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); William Rainey Harper College is in Palatine, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Rainey Harper College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; William Rainey Harper College 21:1.

Illinois vs. Harper Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Harper? 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 William Rainey Harper College than Illinois ($12,145 vs. $13,973).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Rainey Harper College are 1.9% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($14,251 vs. $14,522).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 59.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harper (about $5,942 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $10,062.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 195.8% higher at Illinois than at William Rainey Harper College (about $23,250 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $11,874.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Rainey Harper College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (55% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 161.9% larger than aid received by William Rainey Harper College students ($19,299 vs. $7,368).

Illinois vs. Harper Admissions comparison

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

• William Rainey Harper College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Harper - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.85 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Harper (2.94).

Illinois vs. Harper Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Harper? 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).

• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $26,000 more per year than Harper graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $40,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Rainey Harper College graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($10,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Harper graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($103 vs. $211).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harper students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 46%)

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.