Illinois vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

Illinois vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or ONU? 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 ONU ($13,973 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 0.6% lower than at Ohio Northern University ($14,522 vs. $14,604).
• Ohio Northern University is 148.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $23,796 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.3% higher at ONU than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $4,676 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (97% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 43.5% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($27,696 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. ONU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 130 points higher than at ONU (1290).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at ONU (3.78).
• ONU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 19.9% at ONU.

Illinois vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 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 ONU graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.