Illinois vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than MSOE based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 2,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Illinois vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or MSOE? 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 MSOE ($13,973 vs. $25,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee School of Engineering are 3.7% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,984 vs. $14,522).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 215.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $34,476 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.7% higher at MSOE than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $15,356 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 91.7% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($36,997 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 140 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at MSOE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• MSOE has a higher acceptance rate (58.9%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Illinois vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.