Illinois vs. Notre Dame

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 13,042 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); University of Notre Dame is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; University of Notre Dame 8:1.

Illinois vs. Notre Dame Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Notre Dame ? 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 Notre Dame ($13,973 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 18.9% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($14,522 vs. $17,900).
• University of Notre Dame is 306.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $49,021 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.1% higher at Notre Dame than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $29,901 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (61% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 179.7% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($53,971 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Notre Dame Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or Notre Dame ? 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 Notre Dame and Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 90 points higher than at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; University of Notre Dame 1455/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of Notre Dame 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Notre Dame - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 61.7% at Notre Dame .

Illinois vs. Notre Dame Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Notre Dame ? 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 Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $23,300 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($211 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.