Illinois vs. Wheaton College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Wheaton College is in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Wheaton College 10:1.

Illinois vs. Wheaton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Wheaton College? 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 Wheaton College ($13,973 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 10.4% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,010 vs. $14,522).
• Wheaton College is 184.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $29,542 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at Wheaton College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $10,422 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (98% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College students is 45% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($27,987 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Wheaton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 50 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Wheaton College 1260/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Wheaton College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Wheaton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 29.9% at Wheaton College.

Illinois vs. Wheaton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Wheaton College? 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($211 vs. $232).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.