Illinois vs. North Central College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); North Central College is in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; North Central College 12:1.

Illinois vs. North Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or North Central 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 North Central College ($13,973 vs. $23,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 1.1% lower than at North Central College ($14,522 vs. $14,688).
• North Central College is 185.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $29,722 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.2% higher at North Central College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $10,602 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Central College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 76.5% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($34,056 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. North Central College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 240 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at North Central College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; North Central College 1055/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; North Central College 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; North Central College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at North Central College (3.6).
• North Central College has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 13.6% at North Central College.

Illinois vs. North Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and North Central 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 North Central College's (64%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than North Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than North Central College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Central College graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Central College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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.