Illinois vs. IU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than IU based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 48,424 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Indiana University Bloomington is in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Indiana University Bloomington 18:1.

Illinois vs. IU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or IU? 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 IU ($13,973 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Bloomington are 3.7% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,984 vs. $14,522).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 31.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU (about $3,860 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $12,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at IU than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $6,767 more per year; $41,891.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University Bloomington than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (73% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 84% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($19,299 vs. $10,487).

Illinois vs. IU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 130 points higher than at IU (1290).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 30 at IU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Indiana University Bloomington 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; IU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Illinois students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at IU (3.74).
• IU has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 18.2% at IU.

Illinois vs. IU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and IU? 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 (82%) is higher than Indiana University Bloomington's (72%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than IU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than IU graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU graduates ($211 vs. $232).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 72%)

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.