Illinois vs. OWU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than OWU based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,525 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Ohio Wesleyan University is in Delaware, OH (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Ohio Wesleyan University 12:1.

Illinois vs. OWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or OWU? 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 OWU ($13,973 vs. $23,006).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 1.1% lower than at Ohio Wesleyan University ($14,522 vs. $14,684).
• Ohio Wesleyan University is 236.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $37,884 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.4% higher at OWU than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $18,764 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Wesleyan University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Wesleyan University students is 135.7% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($45,481 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. OWU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 190 points higher than at OWU (1230).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at OWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Ohio Wesleyan University 1105/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Ohio Wesleyan University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; OWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; OWU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at OWU (3.54).
• OWU has a higher acceptance rate (55.6%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 12.6% at OWU.

Illinois vs. OWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and OWU? 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 Wesleyan University's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than OWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $49,600), 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 OWU graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OWU graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More OWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.