Illinois vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than UNC Chapel Hill based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 32,438 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

Illinois vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or UNC Chapel Hill? 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill than Illinois ($10,154 vs. $13,973).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 4.9% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,804 vs. $14,522).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 77.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $7,010 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $6,079 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (52% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 8.3% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($19,299 vs. $17,814).

Illinois vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or UNC Chapel Hill? 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 UNC Chapel Hill and Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 40 points higher than at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UNC Chapel Hill).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

Illinois vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and UNC Chapel Hill? 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $400 more per year than UNC Chapel Hill graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $66,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $4,021 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($16,479 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($170 vs. $211).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.