Illinois vs. Maryland

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Maryland based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 41,725 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); University of Maryland College Park is in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; University of Maryland College Park 17:1.

Illinois vs. Maryland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Maryland? 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 Maryland ($13,973 vs. $16,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 9% lower than at University of Maryland College Park ($14,522 vs. $15,958).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 35.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $4,195 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at Maryland than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $6,062 more per year; $41,186.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland College Park than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (55% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 50% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($19,299 vs. $12,867).

Illinois vs. Maryland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or Maryland? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Maryland and Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 50 points higher than at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of Maryland College Park 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Maryland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Maryland students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 21.6% at Maryland.

Illinois vs. Maryland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Maryland? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The graduation rate at Illinois is the same as at University of Maryland College Park (82% vs. 82%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,300 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($201 vs. $211).
• More Maryland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.