University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs Northwestern University
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public university in Champaign, IL, and Northwestern University is a private university in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 8% of applicants against 42% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $14,355 a year against $29,167 at Northwestern University. About 96% of students graduate at Northwestern University, compared with 85% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Ten years after enrolling, Northwestern University alumni earn a median of about $89,363, against $81,054 for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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- Is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Northwestern University harder to get into?
- Northwestern University is harder to get into. It admits about 8% 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 Northwestern University?
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,355 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $29,167 at Northwestern 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 Northwestern University?
- Before aid, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign costs about $33,642 a year and Northwestern University about $91,250. 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 Northwestern University?
- Northwestern University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,764 there, against about $2,038 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 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 Northwestern University?
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the larger of the two, with about 36,258 undergraduates against 9,201 at Northwestern University.
- Does University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Northwestern University have a better graduation rate?
- Northwestern University has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 85% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- Do graduates of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Northwestern University earn more?
- Northwestern University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $89,363 ten years after enrolling, against about $81,054 for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern 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. Northwestern University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1520 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and 1510–1570 at Northwestern University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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