Illinois vs. Kenyon

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Kenyon based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 2,249 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Illinois vs. Kenyon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Kenyon? 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 Kenyon ($13,973 vs. $46,859).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 7.1% lower than at Kenyon College ($14,522 vs. $15,640).
• Kenyon College is 346.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $55,516 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.6% higher at Kenyon than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $36,396 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kenyon College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (82% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kenyon College students is 111.1% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($40,731 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Kenyon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kenyon College (1430) is 10 points higher than at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming Illinois students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Kenyon (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Kenyon College 1358/1503.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Kenyon College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Kenyon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Kenyon Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kenyon students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than Kenyon (31%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 18.3% at Kenyon.

Illinois vs. Kenyon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Kenyon? 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).

• Kenyon College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than Kenyon graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kenyon College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($19,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Kenyon graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($196 vs. $211).
• More Kenyon 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.