Illinois vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Illinois vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or UVA? 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 UVA ($13,973 vs. $18,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 1.9% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($14,522 vs. $14,800).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 36.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $5,799 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.4% higher at UVA than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $24,388 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign than at University of Virginia Main Campus (52% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 48.8% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($28,715 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 60 points higher than at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming UVA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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 Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 40% at UVA.

Illinois vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($201 vs. $211).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.