University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) vs Mizzou

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two esteemed institutions: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou). Both universities offer a wealth of opportunities, yet they possess distinct characteristics that may sway your decision. UIUC boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its highly selective admissions process, while Mizzou welcomes a broader range of applicants. When it comes to academic pursuits, UIUC excels in engineering, computer science, and business, while Mizzou shines in journalism, education, and health professions. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details about these universities, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that will help you make an informed choice, aligning with your aspirations and goals.

	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	University of Missouri-Columbia
Overview
Location	Champaign, Illinois	Columbia, Missouri
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
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	93.0%	88.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	59.7%	76.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1320 - 1510	1130 - 1350
ACT range	29 - 34	23 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	43.0%	7.0%
Students submitting ACT score	24.0%	72.0%
Total number of applicants	47,593	19,966
Total number of admissions given out	28,395	15,283
Admitted students who chose to enroll	8,297	4,843
Yield rate	29.2%	31.7%
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: $31,636 Out of state: $49,086	In state: $27,977 Out of state: $46,952
Average net price	$14,272	$18,249
Tuition	In state: $12,254 Out of state: $29,704	In state: $10,017 Out of state: $28,992
Room & board	$12,494	Room/dormitory: $6,710 Meal plan: $3,500
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	82.0% Average amount $11,212	85.0% Average amount $11,312
Students receiving federal student loan	33.0% Average amount $4,889	36.0% Average amount $5,270
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $7,014	8.0% Average amount $16,554

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	34,779 Men 54.1% Women 45.9%	23,696 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students	21,828 Men 55.8% Women 44.2%	7,705 Men 38.3% Women 61.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	19.1%	31.0%
International students	20.4%	4.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	16,111	6,898
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Illinois California New Jersey Texas New York	Missouri Illinois Texas Kansas Colorado

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Agriculture Education	Business Health Professions Ethnic Studies Communication and Journalism Education
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	84.9%	72.5%
Dropout rate	14.2%	26.8%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $93,333 Year 2: $100,008 Year 3: $104,573 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,087 Year 2: $80,628 Year 3: $96,108 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $89,564 Year 3: $93,226 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,803 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $85,805 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $70,511 Year 2: $81,210 Year 3: $81,536 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,866 Year 2: $74,953 Year 3: $79,864 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,895 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $79,424 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,907 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $78,960 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,579 Year 2: $69,897 Year 3: $78,050 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,571 Year 2: $66,004 Year 3: $74,926

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou)?

UIUC is located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign, Illinois, offering a classic Midwestern college town experience with a large, sprawling campus. Mizzou is situated in Columbia, Missouri, also a college town, but with a slightly more compact campus and a blend of historic and modern architecture. UIUC generally has a more urban feel due to its proximity to larger cities like Chicago, while Mizzou offers a more relaxed atmosphere.
How do the academic reputations of UIUC and Mizzou compare?

Both universities are highly regarded, but UIUC often ranks higher nationally, particularly in engineering, computer science, and business. Mizzou also has strong programs, especially in journalism, veterinary medicine, and agriculture. UIUC is generally considered to be more academically rigorous, while Mizzou provides a strong education with a slightly more accessible environment for some students.
What are the tuition and cost of attendance differences between UIUC and Mizzou?

Tuition and fees vary, but generally, both universities offer competitive pricing for in-state and out-of-state students. It's best to check the most current figures on each university's website, but UIUC may be slightly more expensive overall due to its higher national ranking and associated costs. Mizzou often provides a more affordable option, especially for Missouri residents.
What are the strengths of the engineering programs at UIUC and Mizzou?

UIUC's College of Engineering is consistently ranked among the top in the nation, known for its cutting-edge research, extensive resources, and strong industry connections. Mizzou's College of Engineering is also well-regarded, with strengths in areas like civil engineering, and offers a more personalized learning experience with a focus on hands-on projects and practical applications.
How do the student life and extracurricular activities differ at UIUC and Mizzou?

UIUC boasts a very active student life with a vast array of clubs, organizations, and Greek life opportunities, reflecting its large student body. Mizzou also has a vibrant student life, with a strong emphasis on traditions, especially related to its athletic programs and the Missouri School of Journalism. Both universities offer a wide range of activities, but the scale and specific focus may differ.
What are the athletic programs like at UIUC and Mizzou?

Both universities compete in the NCAA Division I. UIUC's Fighting Illini compete in the Big Ten Conference, known for its strong athletic programs, particularly in football and basketball. Mizzou's Tigers compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), also known for its competitive athletics, with a strong emphasis on football, basketball, and baseball. Both schools offer a great college sports experience.
How does the research focus differ between UIUC and Mizzou?

UIUC is a major research institution with a broad range of research activities, including significant contributions in engineering, agriculture, and the sciences. Mizzou is also a major research university, with a strong focus on journalism, veterinary medicine, and agriculture, reflecting its land-grant mission. Both universities provide ample research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
What are the career services and job placement rates like at UIUC and Mizzou?

Both universities offer robust career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. UIUC's strong industry connections often lead to high job placement rates, particularly in STEM fields. Mizzou's career services are also effective, with a focus on connecting students with employers in various fields, including journalism and agriculture. Placement rates are generally very good at both institutions.
What are the housing options like at UIUC and Mizzou?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus and off-campus housing options. UIUC has a large selection of residence halls and apartments, catering to a diverse student population. Mizzou also provides a range of housing choices, including traditional residence halls, suites, and apartments, with a focus on creating a supportive living environment.
How do the alumni networks of UIUC and Mizzou compare?

Both universities have strong and active alumni networks. UIUC's large alumni base provides extensive networking opportunities across various industries and locations. Mizzou's alumni network is also well-established, particularly strong in the Midwest and in fields like journalism and veterinary medicine, offering valuable connections for students and graduates.

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