Illinois vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Northwestern based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 23,856 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

Illinois vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Northwestern? 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 Northwestern ($13,973 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 31.3% lower than at Northwestern University ($14,522 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 326.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $52,318 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.5% higher at Northwestern than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $33,198 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (53% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 233.8% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($64,429 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 120 points higher than at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

Illinois vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Northwestern? 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $23,300 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $1,122 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($19,378 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($200 vs. $211).
• More Northwestern 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.