Illinois vs. Hillsdale College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Hillsdale College based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,792 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Hillsdale College is in Hillsdale, Michigan (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hillsdale College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Hillsdale College 8:1.

Illinois vs. Hillsdale College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale College ($13,973 vs. $23,993).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hillsdale College are 6.3% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,600 vs. $14,522).
• Hillsdale College is 107.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $17,185 more per year; $33,189.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Illinois than at Hillsdale College (about $1,935 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $33,189.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hillsdale College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (99% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hillsdale College students is 26.1% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($24,328 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Hillsdale College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or Hillsdale College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Hillsdale College and Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 10 points higher than at Hillsdale College (1410).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Hillsdale College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Hillsdale College 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Hillsdale College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Hillsdale College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Hillsdale College Mar 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Hillsdale College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than Hillsdale College (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 55.5% at Hillsdale College.

Illinois vs. Hillsdale College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Hillsdale College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate is 82%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Hillsdale College.
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign have median earnings of about $66,500 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Hillsdale College.

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.