Illinois vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with University of Missouri Kansas City in Kansas City, 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-Kansas City based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 14,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Illinois vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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-Kansas City ($13,973 vs. $14,748).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 6% lower than at University of Missouri Kansas City ($14,522 vs. $15,452).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 27.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Kansas City (about $3,417 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $12,587.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at Illinois than at University of Missouri Kansas City (about $4,897 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $30,227.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Kansas City than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (94% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 75.7% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Kansas City students ($19,299 vs. $10,982).

Illinois vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is the same as at University of Missouri-Kansas City (1420).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 24 at University of Missouri-Kansas City).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; University of Missouri Kansas City 1290/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of Missouri Kansas City 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; University of Missouri-Kansas City - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; University of Missouri-Kansas City Jun 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at University of Missouri-Kansas City (3.54).
• University of Missouri-Kansas City has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 30.1% at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Illinois vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 Kansas City's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $55,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates ($211 vs. $217).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Kansas City students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 55%)

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.