University of Georgia (UGA) vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

Envision yourself as a student, embarking on a journey of higher education. As you navigate the vast landscape of universities, two prominent institutions emerge: the University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). While both share a commitment to academic excellence, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. UGA boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while UIUC excels in research, offering a wider range of graduate programs. Explore the comparison table below to delve into the details, contrasting acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which university aligns with your aspirations and sets the stage for your academic success.

	University of Georgia	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Overview
Location	Athens, Georgia	Champaign, Illinois
Campus setting	City: Midsize	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	95.0%	93.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	40.0%	59.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $70
SAT range	1270 - 1450	1320 - 1510
ACT range	29 - 33	29 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	45.0%	43.0%
Students submitting ACT score	40.0%	24.0%
Total number of applicants	39,229	47,593
Total number of admissions given out	15,685	28,395
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,819	8,297
Yield rate	37.1%	29.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $26,622 Out of state: $45,662	In state: $31,636 Out of state: $49,086
Average net price	$16,902	$14,272
Tuition	In state: $9,790 Out of state: $28,830	In state: $12,254 Out of state: $29,704
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,292 Meal plan: $4,036	$12,494
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $11,045	82.0% Average amount $11,212
Students receiving federal student loan	25.0% Average amount $5,227	33.0% Average amount $4,889
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $13,477	8.0% Average amount $7,014

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	30,166 Men 42.0% Women 58.0%	34,779 Men 54.1% Women 45.9%
Graduate students	9,952 Men 38.2% Women 61.8%	21,828 Men 55.8% Women 44.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	17.5%	19.1%
International students	4.8%	20.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	10,050	16,111
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Georgia Texas North Carolina Florida New York	Illinois California New Jersey Texas New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Communication and Journalism Education Health Professions Engineering	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	3.6%	14.2%
Transferred out	7.5%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $107,603 Year 2: $120,325 Year 3: $122,859 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,544 Year 2: $111,283 Year 3: $122,491 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $117,307 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,726 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $92,754 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,513 Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $91,218 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $87,059 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $85,532 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,138 Year 2: $68,778 Year 3: $79,772 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,908 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $79,190 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $64,622 Year 2: $64,068 Year 3: $78,529 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $79,002 Year 2: $77,144 Year 3: $77,709	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 the University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)?

UGA is a large public university located in Athens, Georgia, known for its strong programs in journalism, business, and agriculture. It offers a classic college town experience with a vibrant Greek life and a focus on Southern culture. UIUC, on the other hand, is a large public university in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, renowned for its engineering, computer science, and physics programs. It has a more Midwestern feel and a stronger emphasis on research and technology.
Which university is better for engineering?

UIUC is generally considered to be stronger in engineering than UGA. UIUC's College of Engineering is consistently ranked among the top in the nation, offering a wide range of specialized programs and state-of-the-art facilities. While UGA has a solid engineering program, it doesn't have the same level of national recognition or research focus as UIUC.
How do the business schools at UGA and UIUC compare?

Both UGA and UIUC have reputable business schools. UGA's Terry College of Business is well-regarded, particularly for its risk management and insurance programs. UIUC's Gies College of Business is also highly ranked and known for its innovation in online MBA programs and its strong accounting program. The 'better' school depends on your specific area of interest within business.
What is the difference in campus culture and student life?

UGA offers a classic Southern college experience with a strong emphasis on school spirit, SEC athletics, and Greek life. Athens is a lively college town with a thriving music scene. UIUC has a more diverse student body and a broader range of extracurricular activities, reflecting its Midwestern location. While UIUC also has Greek life, it's not as dominant as at UGA. UIUC's campus is more integrated with the cities of Champaign and Urbana, offering a wider variety of cultural and entertainment options.
How do the costs of attending UGA and UIUC compare?

Tuition and fees vary depending on residency. Generally, for in-state students, UGA is typically less expensive than UIUC. However, for out-of-state students, the cost difference may be less significant. It's essential to check the most recent tuition rates and factor in living expenses, which can vary depending on lifestyle and location.
Which university is better for computer science?

UIUC is widely recognized as one of the top computer science programs in the world. Its faculty are leaders in their fields, and the program offers numerous research opportunities. While UGA has a growing computer science program, it doesn't have the same level of prestige or resources as UIUC.
What are the admission requirements for UGA and UIUC?

Both UGA and UIUC are selective universities. Admission requirements typically include a strong high school GPA, challenging coursework, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may apply), and compelling essays. UIUC, with its higher national ranking, generally has slightly more competitive admission standards than UGA.
How do the career services at UGA and UIUC compare?

Both universities offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. UIUC's career services are particularly strong in fields related to engineering and technology, given the university's reputation in those areas. UGA's career services are well-connected with employers in the Southeast, particularly in business and communications.
What is the surrounding environment like for each university?

UGA is located in Athens, Georgia, a vibrant college town known for its music scene, historic architecture, and Southern charm. The surrounding area offers outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking and water sports. UIUC is located in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, a more urban environment with a diverse population and a strong focus on technology and research. The surrounding area is primarily agricultural, with access to larger cities like Chicago within a few hours' drive.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

UIUC has a stronger overall focus on research than UGA. UIUC is a leading research university with significant funding and numerous research centers and institutes. While UGA also conducts significant research, UIUC's research enterprise is larger and more prominent, particularly in STEM fields.

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