Illinois vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than WUSTL based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 16,357 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Washington University in St Louis is in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Washington University in St Louis 7:1.

Illinois vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or WUSTL ? 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 WUSTL ($13,973 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 33.5% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($14,522 vs. $21,854).
• Washington University in St Louis is 311.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $49,786 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.3% higher at WUSTL than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $30,666 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign than at Washington University in St Louis (52% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 242.4% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($66,080 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 120 points higher than at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming WUSTL 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; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

Illinois vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and WUSTL ? 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).

• Washington University in St Louis's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $600 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($19,900 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($205 vs. $211).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.