University of Washington-Seattle Campus (UDub) vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Seattle or Urbana-Champaign, home to two esteemed universities: University of Washington-Seattle Campus and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While both institutions offer world-class education and a plethora of opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your academic journey. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover the nuances that set these universities apart. Discover the differences in acceptance rates, tuition fees, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more. Whether you thrive in a bustling urban setting or prefer a charming college town atmosphere, this side-by-side analysis will guide you towards the institution that best aligns with your aspirations and preferences.

	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Overview
Location	Champaign, Illinois	Seattle, Washington
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	93.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	59.7%	53.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1320 - 1510	N/A
ACT range	29 - 34	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	43.0%
Students submitting ACT score	24.0%
Total number of applicants	47,593	48,840
Total number of admissions given out	28,395	26,121
Admitted students who chose to enroll	8,297	7,252
Yield rate	29.2%	27.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	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: $30,640 Out of state: $58,470
Average net price	$14,272	$8,701
Tuition	In state: $12,254 Out of state: $29,704	In state: $10,927 Out of state: $38,757
Room & board	$12,494	$14,871
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	82.0% Average amount $11,212	41.0% Average amount $15,895
Students receiving federal student loan	33.0% Average amount $4,889	19.0% Average amount $4,460
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $7,014	1.0% Average amount $24,258

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	34,779 Men 54.1% Women 45.9%	36,201 Men 43.3% Women 56.7%
Graduate students	21,828 Men 55.8% Women 44.2%	16,233 Men 42.7% Women 57.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	19.1%	N/A
International students	20.4%	14.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	16,111	11,123
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	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Agriculture Education	Engineering Health Professions Business Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	21:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	84.9%	83.9%
Dropout rate	14.2%	15.6%
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	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $189,764 Year 2: $218,927 Year 3: $206,965 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $116,990 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $154,987 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $137,584 Year 2: $120,252 Year 3: $152,099 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $133,070 Year 2: $127,652 Year 3: $142,606 Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: $141,725 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $121,620 Year 2: $124,420 Year 3: $137,488 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $121,083 Year 2: $121,294 Year 3: $131,592 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $94,893 Year 2: $118,349 Year 3: $127,982 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,634 Year 2: $113,228 Year 3: $125,171 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,287 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $121,695

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Washington (UW) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)?

UW is a public research university located in Seattle, Washington, known for its strong programs in computer science, engineering, medicine, and environmental sciences. UIUC, also a public research university, is located in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and is renowned for its engineering, computer science, business, and agriculture programs. UW benefits from its location in a major tech hub, while UIUC offers a more traditional college town experience. Cost of living is significantly higher in Seattle compared to Champaign-Urbana.
Which university is better for Computer Science?

Both UW and UIUC have excellent Computer Science programs, consistently ranked among the top in the nation. UIUC's CS program is historically strong and known for its theoretical foundations, while UW's CS program benefits from its proximity to major tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft, offering more internship and job opportunities in the Seattle area. The 'better' choice depends on your specific interests and career goals.
How do the tuition costs compare between UW and UIUC?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency. For in-state students, UIUC generally has lower tuition fees than UW. However, for out-of-state students, the tuition fees are comparable, though UW may be slightly higher. Remember to factor in the significantly higher cost of living in Seattle when considering the overall cost of attending UW.
What is the campus environment like at UW versus UIUC?

UW's campus is located in a vibrant urban setting in Seattle, offering access to a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. The campus itself is known for its beautiful architecture and views of the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound. UIUC offers a more traditional college town experience in Champaign-Urbana, with a focus on campus life and a strong sense of community. The UIUC campus is larger and more spread out than UW's.
Which university is stronger in Engineering programs?

Both UW and UIUC have highly regarded Engineering programs. UIUC is particularly strong in electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering, with a long history of innovation in these fields. UW excels in aerospace, civil, and environmental engineering, as well as bioengineering, benefiting from its location and partnerships with local industries. The strength in specific engineering disciplines varies slightly between the two universities.
What are the research opportunities like at UW and UIUC?

Both UW and UIUC are major research universities with extensive research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. UW has strong research programs in medicine, public health, oceanography, and environmental sciences. UIUC has renowned research programs in engineering, computer science, agriculture, and materials science. Both universities offer numerous research labs, centers, and institutes where students can get involved in cutting-edge research.
How do the student demographics compare?

Both universities have diverse student populations, but there are some differences. UW has a larger proportion of students from the Pacific Northwest and Asia, while UIUC draws more students from the Midwest and internationally. Both universities are committed to diversity and inclusion, and offer various programs and resources to support students from diverse backgrounds.
What is the job market like for graduates of UW and UIUC?

UW graduates have excellent job prospects in the Seattle area, particularly in the tech industry, with companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing actively recruiting from UW. UIUC graduates are highly sought after by companies across the Midwest and nationally, especially in engineering, computer science, and finance. Both universities have strong career services departments that provide students with resources and support to find internships and jobs.
How do the acceptance rates compare between UW and UIUC?

Both UW and UIUC are selective universities, but UW generally has a slightly lower acceptance rate than UIUC. This means that UW may be slightly more competitive to get into, but the specific acceptance rates can vary from year to year.
What are some unique aspects of each university?

UW is known for its stunning campus, its proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities (hiking, skiing, etc.), and its strong ties to the Seattle tech industry. UIUC is known for its strong sense of community, its traditions (like Alma Mater), and its contributions to fields like computer science and engineering. UIUC also has a very large and active Greek life presence.

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