Illinois vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 30,779 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Illinois vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Iowa? 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 Iowa ($13,973 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 11% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($12,920 vs. $14,522).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 41.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $4,721 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Illinois than at University of Iowa (about $1,753 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Iowa than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (76% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 95.6% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($19,299 vs. $9,865).

Illinois vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 190 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Illinois vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Iowa? 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 Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $1,116 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($211 vs. $223).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 70%)

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.