Illinois vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than University of Missouri-Columbia based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 31,543 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); University of Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

Illinois vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri-Columbia ($13,973 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Columbia are 5.7% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,700 vs. $14,522).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Columbia (about $1,167 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $14,837.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $932 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (95% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 46.2% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students ($19,299 vs. $13,203).

Illinois vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 180 points higher than at University of Missouri-Columbia (1240).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at University of Missouri-Columbia).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

Illinois vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri Columbia's (69%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $54,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $1,383 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,883).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($211 vs. $226).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Columbia students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 73%)

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.