University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign admits approximately 43.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This places UIUC in the selective tier, with admission standards that require strong academic preparation but remain more accessible than highly competitive institutions.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights that UIUC maintains significantly higher academic standards than typical four-year institutions, with acceptance rates 34.4 percentage points lower than peer institutions. This level of selectivity means that admitted students have demonstrated consistent academic excellence, though the institution remains accessible to a broader range of well-prepared applicants than elite private universities.

Students should approach UIUC as a competitive option that requires solid academic credentials but offers realistic admission prospects for students with strong preparation. The 43.7% acceptance rate suggests that students with academic profiles matching the institution's standards have reasonable chances of admission, making it an appropriate target school for academically strong students rather than a reach for most qualified applicants.

Applicants should build balanced college lists that include institutions with both similar and higher acceptance rates to ensure adequate options.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's published cost of attendance is $32,134 annually, including $16,004 in-state tuition, $13,938 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face tuition of $34,501, bringing total costs significantly higher.

However, the average student pays $15,201 after financial aid, representing substantial savings of $16,933 from the sticker price. This net price sits $389 above the peer median of $15,590, indicating costs remain competitive with similar institutions.

The financial aid system effectively reduces costs for most families, with the average student paying less than half the published price. Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $3,883 for the lowest-income families to $28,358 for the highest earners.

This progressive pricing structure ensures that students from different economic backgrounds face costs aligned with their families' financial capacity. The $25,000 difference between lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates the institution's commitment to maintaining access across economic circumstances while generating revenue from families with greater ability to pay.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates demonstrate robust earnings growth over time, with median earnings increasing from $64,802 six years after enrollment to $74,029 at eight years and $81,054 at ten years. This represents 25.1% growth from the six-year mark, indicating steady career advancement as graduates establish themselves professionally.

These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 7,090 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures and reflecting outcomes across the institution's comprehensive range of academic programs. Graduates earn $11,414 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UIUC at the 87.2nd percentile for earnings uplift and demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in translating educational quality into career outcomes.

Low-income graduates earn $67,900, showing that the institution supports economic mobility across income backgrounds. The earnings distribution from $54,886 to $116,541 reflects meaningful variation across programs, with particularly strong outcomes in STEM fields.

Approximately 27.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating the institution prepares students effectively for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education pathways.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with comprehensive federal earnings data for evaluation. Computer Science ranks #24 nationally and #2 in Illinois, producing 291 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $143,775 and a strong value score of 87.4.

Computer Engineering ranks #7 nationally and #1 in Illinois, graduating 341 students with median earnings of $122,137 and an outstanding value score of 95.1. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #13 nationally and #1 in Illinois, with 256 graduates earning $99,685.

Mathematical Statistics and Probability ranks #10 nationally and #1 in Illinois, graduating 335 students with median earnings of $84,760. Accounting Technology ranks #25 nationally and #2 in Illinois, producing 374 graduates with median earnings of $80,736.

Several programs represent flagship offerings at the institution, including Behavioral Neuroscience with 542 graduates, Applied Economics with 490 graduates, and the highly-ranked Computer Engineering program.