CSU vs. UIC

Chicago State University and University of Illinois Chicago side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Chicago State University
University of Illinois Chicago

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CSU (43.3% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 860 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $10,441 at CSU vs $10,852 at UIC. UIC in-state tuition is about $1,584 more per year.
  • Graduation: CSU 21% vs UIC 54%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $38,300 vs UIC $61,900 (median).
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Key differences

Chicago State University University of Illinois Chicago
Acceptance rate
CSU more selective
CSU43.3%
UIC77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UIC higher
CSU750-963
UIC1130-1350
Average net price
About even
CSU$10,441
UIC$10,852
In-state tuition
CSU $1,584 less
CSU$12,754
UIC$14,338
Out-of-state tuition
CSU $17,130 less
CSU$12,754
UIC$29,884
Graduation rate
UIC +33 pts
CSU21%
UIC54%
Median earnings (10 years)
UIC +$23,600
CSU$38,300
UIC$61,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CSU 10,638
  • UIC 27,085
  • Admitted
  • CSU 4,602
  • UIC 20,951
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 43.3%
  • UIC 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 3.8%
  • UIC 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 860
  • UIC 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 17
  • UIC 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.18
  • UIC 3.41
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • UIC B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Extremely Easy
  • UIC Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU Low
  • UIC
  • SAT range
  • CSU 750-963
  • UIC 1130-1350
  • ACT range
  • CSU 15-19
  • UIC 25-31
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • UIC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • CSU
  • UIC Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $12,754
  • UIC $14,338
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $12,754
  • UIC $29,884
  • Room & board
  • CSU $11,550
  • UIC $16,500
  • Average net price
  • CSU $10,441
  • UIC $10,852
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $18,194
  • UIC $16,755
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 99%
  • UIC 74%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 21%
  • UIC 54%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $38,300
  • UIC $61,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 25%
  • UIC 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $31,250
  • UIC $18,750
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $323
  • UIC $193
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 9:1
  • UIC 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Education (7%)
  • UIC
    • Business (16%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Engineering (9%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chicago, IL
  • UIC Chicago, IL
  • Setting
  • CSU Large City
  • UIC Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 2,238
  • UIC 33,906
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • UIC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #814
  • UIC #215

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 2,238 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Illinois Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
  • Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; University of Illinois Chicago 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 30% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($11,550 vs. $16,500).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 134.3% higher at UIC than at Chicago State University (about $17,130 more per year; $29,884 vs. $12,754).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at University of Illinois Chicago (99% vs. 74%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 8.6% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($18,194 vs. $16,755).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 11 points higher at UIC than at CSU (28 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at CSU, test optional at UIC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UIC average a 3.41 high school GPA, 0.23 higher than at CSU (3.18).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 21.1% at UIC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($18,750 vs. $31,250).
  • Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($193 vs. $323).
  • More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation (68% vs. 25%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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