Illinois vs. Saint Louis University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Saint Louis University based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 17,059 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Saint Louis University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Saint Louis University 9:1.

Illinois vs. Saint Louis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Saint Louis University? 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 Saint Louis University ($13,973 vs. $27,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 5% lower than at Saint Louis University ($14,522 vs. $15,280).
• Saint Louis University is 248.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $39,756 more per year; $55,760.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.8% higher at Saint Louis University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $20,636 more per year; $55,760.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Louis University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Louis University students is 131.4% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($44,657 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Saint Louis University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or Saint Louis University? 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 Saint Louis University and Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 110 points higher than at Saint Louis University (1310).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Saint Louis University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Saint Louis University 1200/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Saint Louis University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Saint Louis University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Louis University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Saint Louis University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 13.9% at Saint Louis University.

Illinois vs. Saint Louis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Saint Louis University? 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 Saint Louis University's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Saint Louis University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Saint Louis University graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Louis University graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Louis University 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.