Illinois vs. Wooster

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Wooster based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,738 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); The College of Wooster is in Wooster, OH (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of Wooster is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; The College of Wooster 10:1.

Illinois vs. Wooster Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Wooster? 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 Wooster ($13,973 vs. $28,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Wooster are 0.2% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($14,490 vs. $14,522).
• The College of Wooster is 285.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $45,636 more per year; $61,640.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.5% higher at Wooster than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $26,516 more per year; $61,640.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Wooster than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Wooster students is 147% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($47,672 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Wooster Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 80 points higher than at Wooster (1340).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wooster).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; The College of Wooster 1220/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; The College of Wooster 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Wooster - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Wooster Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Wooster (3.76).
• Wooster has a higher acceptance rate (59.5%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 11.4% at Wooster.

Illinois vs. Wooster Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Wooster? 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 The College of Wooster's (75%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Wooster graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $51,200), 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 Wooster graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wooster graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wooster students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 76%)

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.