Illinois vs. UC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than UC based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 45,026 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

Illinois vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or UC? 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 UC ($13,973 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 6.6% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,564 vs. $14,522).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $2,028 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at Illinois than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $5,814 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (73% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 135.5% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($19,299 vs. $8,196).

Illinois vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 150 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 22.5% at UC.

Illinois vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and UC? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($211 vs. $237).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 57%)

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.