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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL·Public·34,623 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want a major research university experience and in-state Illinois residents. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $70,900 within 10 years; strong 85% graduation rate.

44%
Accept
34,623
Students
$15,201
Net Price
85%
Grad Rate
$70,900
Earnings
10 yr
$16,500
Debt

About This School

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois with approximately 34,623 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 44% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $15,201 per year. The graduation rate is 85%, and the typical graduate earns $70,900 within 10 years of enrollment.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public land-grant research university in the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area, Illinois, United States. Established in 1867, it is the founding campus and flagship institution of the University of Illinois System. With over 59,000 students, the University of Illinois is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the United States.

This is a strong option for students who want a flagship research university experience at a genuinely affordable price — the average net cost of $15,201/year is hard to beat for a school of this caliber, and a median salary of $70,900 a decade out suggests real return on that investment. The 85% graduation rate and 94% freshman retention signal that most students who start here finish, though a campus of 34,000+ undergrads means you'll need to be proactive about finding community and academic support rather than waiting for it to find you.

Founded
1867
Setting
Small city
Conference
Big Ten Conference

Popular Programs

Engineering21%
Business & Marketing10%
Social Sciences7%
Computer Science7%
Psychology6%
Communications6%
Biological Sciences5%
Mathematics5%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Rafael CorreaRoger EbertGene HackmanRosalyn Sussman YalowAng LeeHugh HefnerJack KilbyLarry EllisonPolykarp KuschFidel RamosJesse JacksonJohn Robert Schrieffer

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1418
Reading 75th %ile730
Math 75th %ile780

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite32

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$16,004
Out-of-State Tuition
$34,501
Avg Net Price
$15,201
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants24%
Median debt at graduation$16,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
85%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
94%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$70,900
after enrollment
Median Debt
$16,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$16,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$52,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$70,900
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 4.3x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White39%
Black6%
Hispanic/Latino14%
Asian23%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (34,623 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

601 E John Street

Champaign, IL 61820-5711

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Illinois

Browse all Illinois schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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