Georgia vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Georgia in Athens, GA with University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Georgia based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 43,146 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Georgia is located in Athens, GA (Midsize City setting); University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• University of Georgia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Georgia 17:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

Georgia vs. Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia or Illinois? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign than Georgia ($13,973 vs. $16,662).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Georgia are 19.6% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($11,672 vs. $14,522).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 39.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia (about $4,554 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at Illinois than at University of Georgia (about $3,436 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $31,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Georgia than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (89% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 65.3% larger than aid received by University of Georgia students ($19,299 vs. $11,674).

Georgia vs. Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia or Illinois? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Illinois and Georgia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 40 points higher than at Georgia (1380).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Georgia).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Georgia 1270/1480; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Georgia 29/34; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia - Required to be considered for admission; Illinois - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Jan 1, 2027; Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than Georgia (37.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.3% at Georgia vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

Georgia vs. Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia and Illinois? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at Georgia is the same as at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (82% vs. 82%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Georgia graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $56,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Georgia graduates have a $1,354 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($19,146 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Georgia graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($197 vs. $211).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.