Illinois vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Illinois vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence ($13,973 vs. $27,161).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 16.2% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($12,165 vs. $14,522).
• Lawrence University is 256% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $40,978 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.2% higher at Lawrence than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $21,858 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawrence University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 121.2% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($42,688 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 110 points higher than at Lawrence (1310).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Illinois vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University's (77%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $6,850 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($211 vs. $282).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 76%)

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.