Skip to content

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs Illinois Wesleyan University

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public university in Champaign, IL. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private university in Bloomington, IL. Illinois Wesleyan University admits about 39% of applicants and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign about 42%, making Illinois Wesleyan University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,355 a year at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign after aid, and about $28,199 at Illinois Wesleyan University. About 85% of students graduate at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, compared with 78% at Illinois Wesleyan University. Ten years after enrolling, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumni earn a median of about $81,054, against $70,871 for Illinois Wesleyan University.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Champaign, IL
Bloomington, IL
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
36,258
1,582
Acceptance rate
42%
39%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.41–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1310–1520
1120–1340
ACT (middle 50%)
30–34
25–30
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,355
$28,199
Full cost / yr
$33,642
$70,700
In-state tuition
$16,004
$57,704
Out-of-state tuition
$35,124
$57,704
Application fee
$50
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$2,038
$17,732
$30k - $48k
$5,373
$19,057
$48k - $75k
$7,982
$23,152
$75k - $110k
$15,152
$27,396
Over $110k
$28,761
$37,104
Outcomes
Graduation rate
85%
78%
Freshman retention
95%
80%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$64,802
$56,082
Median earnings (10 yr)
$81,054
$70,871
Median debt at graduation
$19,500
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
23%
26%
First-generation students
25%
18%
International students
14%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 15
Regular decision
Jan 5
Feb 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Illinois Wesleyan University harder to get into?
Illinois Wesleyan University is harder to get into. It admits about 39% of applicants, compared with 42% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Illinois Wesleyan University?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,355 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,199 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois Wesleyan University?
Before aid, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign costs about $33,642 a year and Illinois Wesleyan University about $70,700. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Illinois Wesleyan University?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $2,038 there, against about $17,732 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Illinois Wesleyan University?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the larger of the two, with about 36,258 undergraduates against 1,582 at Illinois Wesleyan University.
Does University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Illinois Wesleyan University have a better graduation rate?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the higher graduation rate, at about 85% against 78% at Illinois Wesleyan University.
Do graduates of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Illinois Wesleyan University earn more?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumni earn more on average: a median of about $81,054 ten years after enrolling, against about $70,871 for Illinois Wesleyan University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois Wesleyan University require SAT or ACT scores?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Illinois Wesleyan University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois Wesleyan University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1520 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and 1120–1340 at Illinois Wesleyan University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school