Illinois vs. Kalamazoo College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,166 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Kalamazoo College is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kalamazoo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Kalamazoo College 10:1.

Illinois vs. Kalamazoo College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College ($13,973 vs. $26,956).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kalamazoo College are 13.6% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($12,549 vs. $14,522).
• Kalamazoo College is 281.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $45,046 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.8% higher at Kalamazoo College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $25,926 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kalamazoo College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (99% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo College students is 144.8% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($47,252 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Kalamazoo College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 140 points higher than at Kalamazoo College (1280).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 24 at Kalamazoo College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Kalamazoo College 1170/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Kalamazoo College 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Kalamazoo College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Kalamazoo College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Kalamazoo College (3.73).
• Kalamazoo College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 11.7% at Kalamazoo College.

Illinois vs. Kalamazoo College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College's (80%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Kalamazoo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $5,950 lower median loan debt than Kalamazoo College graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,450).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kalamazoo College graduates ($211 vs. $273).
• More Kalamazoo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.