Illinois vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 578 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); University of Minnesota Rochester is in Rochester, MN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Rochester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; University of Minnesota Rochester 13:1.

Illinois vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 Minnesota-Rochester ($13,973 vs. $14,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Rochester are 3.6% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,994 vs. $14,522).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Minnesota-Rochester (about $988 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $15,016.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.9% higher at Illinois than at University of Minnesota Rochester (about $20,108 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $15,016.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Rochester than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (78% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 37.3% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students ($19,299 vs. $14,057).

Illinois vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 Minnesota-Rochester and Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 250 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Rochester (1170).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at University of Minnesota-Rochester).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; University of Minnesota Rochester 950/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of Minnesota Rochester 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Rochester - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; University of Minnesota-Rochester Jul 31, 2027.
• University of Minnesota-Rochester has a higher acceptance rate (71%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 20.3% at University of Minnesota-Rochester.

Illinois vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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).

• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Rochester graduates have a $315 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($20,185 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($208 vs. $211).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Rochester students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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.