UT Austin vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two prestigious universities: The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Both institutions offer a world-class education, but they also possess unique characteristics that set them apart. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to discover the nuances that distinguish these academic powerhouses. Explore the contrasting acceptance rates, unravel the diverse range of popular majors, immerse yourself in the vibrant student body demographics, and uncover the remarkable graduation rates. This side-by-side analysis will illuminate the path that best aligns with your aspirations and academic pursuits.
The University of Texas at Austin logo

The University of Texas at Austin

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign logo

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Overview

Location Austin, Texas Champaign, Illinois
Campus setting City: Large City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 96.0% 93.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 28.7% 59.7%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $75

Graduate: $65
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $70
SAT range 1230 - 1500 1320 - 1510
ACT range 27 - 33 29 - 34
Students submitting SAT score 56.0% 43.0%
Students submitting ACT score 26.0% 24.0%
Total number of applicants 66,077 47,593
Total number of admissions given out 18,994 28,395
Admitted students who chose to enroll 9,060 8,297
Yield rate 47.7% 29.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not required Not required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $29,788

Out of state: $59,032
In state: $31,636

Out of state: $49,086
Average net price $16,589 $14,272
Tuition
In state: $11,752

Out of state: $40,996
In state: $12,254

Out of state: $29,704
Room & board $12,768 $12,494
Available payment plans
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

51.0%
Average amount $12,725
82.0%
Average amount $11,212
Students receiving federal student loan 28.0%
Average amount $4,961
33.0%
Average amount $4,889
Students taking out private loans 1.0%
Average amount $16,366
8.0%
Average amount $7,014

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 40,916
Men 43.4% Women 56.6%
34,779
Men 54.1% Women 45.9%
Graduate students 11,075
Men 49.5% Women 50.5%
21,828
Men 55.8% Women 44.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students 9.2% 19.1%
International students 9.1% 20.4%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Small
Dormitory capacity 7,809 16,111
First year students are required to live on campus? No Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Texas California New York New Jersey Illinois Illinois California New Jersey Texas New York

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Agriculture
  • Education
Students to faculty ratio 17:1 21:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 87.8% 84.9%
Dropout rate 11.7% 14.2%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $130,952
  • Year 2: $131,707
  • Year 3: $149,763
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $122,716
  • Year 2: $97,959
  • Year 3: $131,523
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $115,909
  • Year 2: $120,124
  • Year 3: $127,068
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,526
  • Year 2: $100,607
  • Year 3: $120,559
Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $109,082
  • Year 2: $106,421
  • Year 3: $119,993
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $86,247
  • Year 2: $102,706
  • Year 3: $108,654
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $87,293
  • Year 2: $88,723
  • Year 3: $99,721
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $89,133
  • Year 2: $79,558
  • Year 3: $97,550
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $83,714
  • Year 2: $84,653
  • Year 3: $93,999
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $81,984
  • Year 2: $80,550
  • Year 3: $92,064
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $144,200
  • Year 2: $138,932
  • Year 3: $205,343
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $101,262
  • Year 2: $101,592
  • Year 3: $118,452
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $96,177
  • Year 2: $95,930
  • Year 3: $115,158
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $88,455
  • Year 2: $84,100
  • Year 3: $103,246
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $87,923
  • Year 2: $93,033
  • Year 3: $99,026
Taxation (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $96,057
  • Year 2: $99,404
  • Year 3: $96,431
Veterinary Medicine (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $83,448
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $93,057
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $87,643
  • Year 2: $87,604
  • Year 3: $92,498
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,633
  • Year 2: $74,200
  • Year 3: $92,189
Engineering Physics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,606
  • Year 2: $74,845
  • Year 3: $90,556

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the main differences between UT Austin and UIUC?

    UT Austin is a large public university located in the heart of Austin, Texas, known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and natural sciences. It boasts a vibrant campus life and a strong connection to the tech industry. UIUC, located in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, is also a large public university with a renowned engineering program, particularly in computer science, and strong programs in agriculture and business. UIUC is known for its research focus and a more traditional college town atmosphere.

  • Which university is better for engineering?

    Both UT Austin and UIUC have excellent engineering programs, consistently ranked among the top in the nation. UIUC is particularly strong in computer science and electrical engineering, while UT Austin excels in petroleum engineering and has a strong overall engineering program with close ties to the Texas energy sector. The 'better' choice depends on your specific engineering discipline and career goals.

  • How do the costs of attending UT Austin and UIUC compare?

    Generally, UT Austin is less expensive for in-state students compared to UIUC for in-state students. However, for out-of-state students, the tuition costs are more comparable, though UT Austin may still be slightly lower. Remember to factor in the cost of living, which can be higher in Austin than in Urbana-Champaign, depending on your lifestyle.

  • What is the campus environment like at UT Austin versus UIUC?

    UT Austin offers a vibrant and bustling campus environment in a major city. Austin is known for its live music, outdoor activities, and thriving tech scene. UIUC provides a more traditional college town experience, with a focus on academics and research. The campus is more self-contained, and the surrounding towns offer a quieter, more community-oriented atmosphere.

  • Which university is better for business programs?

    Both UT Austin's McCombs School of Business and UIUC's Gies College of Business are highly regarded. McCombs is known for its strong connections to the Texas business community and its focus on entrepreneurship. Gies is recognized for its innovation in online education and its strong accounting program. The best choice depends on your specific business interests and career aspirations.

  • What are the admission requirements for UT Austin and UIUC?

    Both universities are highly selective. Admission to both UT Austin and UIUC requires a strong academic record, including high GPA and standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may apply). They also consider extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. UT Austin places a greater emphasis on Texas residency for admission, while UIUC has a larger out-of-state student population.

  • How do the research opportunities compare between UT Austin and UIUC?

    Both UT Austin and UIUC are major research universities with extensive research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. UIUC is particularly known for its research in engineering, computer science, and agriculture. UT Austin has strong research programs in engineering, natural sciences, and energy-related fields. Both offer numerous labs, research centers, and funding opportunities for students to get involved in cutting-edge research.

  • What is the student life like at UT Austin and UIUC?

    UT Austin boasts a vibrant student life with a wide range of clubs, organizations, and social events. The city of Austin offers numerous entertainment options, including live music, outdoor activities, and a thriving food scene. UIUC has a more traditional college town atmosphere with a strong sense of community. There are numerous student organizations, cultural events, and athletic competitions. Both universities offer a rich and diverse student experience, but the overall atmosphere differs significantly.

  • How do the career services and job placement rates compare?

    Both UT Austin and UIUC have strong career services departments that provide students with resources for internships, job searches, and career counseling. UT Austin benefits from its location in a major tech hub, offering numerous internship and job opportunities in the Austin area. UIUC has strong connections to companies in the Midwest and beyond, particularly in engineering and technology. Both universities have high job placement rates for their graduates.

  • Which university has a stronger alumni network?

    Both UT Austin and UIUC have large and active alumni networks. UT Austin's alumni network is particularly strong in Texas and the Southwest, while UIUC's alumni network is well-established in the Midwest and across the globe. Both networks offer valuable connections and resources for graduates seeking career opportunities and professional development.

Compare Similar Colleges

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