Illinois vs. University of Dayton

Deciding between University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and University of Dayton? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
University of Dayton

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Illinois Champaign, IL
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • Illinois Small City
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Illinois 59,238
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Type
  • Illinois Public 4 Year
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Illinois #117
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Illinois -
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Illinois Non-profit
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Illinois
  • University of Dayton

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Illinois $16,004
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Illinois $35,124
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Room & Board
  • Illinois $14,522
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Average Net Price
  • Illinois $13,973
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Illinois $19,299
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Illinois 52%
  • University of Dayton 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Illinois 73,742
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Admitted
  • Illinois 31,247
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Illinois 42.4%
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Illinois 28.8%
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Illinois 1420
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Illinois 32
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Illinois 3.79
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Illinois A-
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Illinois Exceptional
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Illinois Low
  • University of Dayton Low
  • ACT Range
  • Illinois 30/34
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Illinois 1310/1520
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Illinois Test optional
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Illinois Jan 5, 2027
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Illinois 20:1
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Illinois
    • Engineering (16%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Illinois 82%
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Illinois $66,500
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Illinois 78%
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Illinois $20,500
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Illinois $211
  • University of Dayton $268

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Illinois 54%
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • % Women
  • Illinois 46%
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Illinois High
  • University of Dayton Low
  • HBCU
  • Illinois No
  • University of Dayton No
  • % White
  • Illinois 48%
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • % Asian
  • Illinois 17%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • % Black
  • Illinois 6%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Illinois 10%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Native American
  • Illinois 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Illinois 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Illinois 3%
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • % International
  • Illinois 16%
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Illinois 1%
  • University of Dayton 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Illinois 71%
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Illinois 14%
  • University of Dayton 41%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Illinois Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Illinois Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Illinois Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Illinois No
  • University of Dayton No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Illinois Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 10,506 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); University of Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

Illinois vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton ($13,973 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 13.6% lower than at University of Dayton ($14,522 vs. $16,800).
  • University of Dayton is 207% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $33,136 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $16,004.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 39.9% higher at University of Dayton than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $14,016 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $35,124.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (95% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 73.2% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($33,418 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. University of Dayton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton and Illinois.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 130 points higher than at University of Dayton (1290).
  • Incoming Illinois students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at University of Dayton).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; University of Dayton 1200/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of Dayton 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; University of Dayton - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at University of Dayton (3.77).
  • University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Illinois (42.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

Illinois vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and University of Dayton? 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 Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than University of Dayton graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $57,300), 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 University of Dayton graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($211 vs. $268).
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.