UIC vs. North Central College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with North Central College in Naperville, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); North Central College is in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; North Central College 12:1.

UIC vs. North Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or North Central College? 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 Chicago than North Central College ($10,852 vs. $23,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Central College are 11% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($14,688 vs. $16,500).
• North Central College is 218.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $31,388 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53% higher at North Central College than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $15,842 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Central College than at University of Illinois Chicago (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 103.3% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($34,056 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. North Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC or North Central College? 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 North Central College and UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 60 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
• Incoming UIC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at North Central College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; North Central College 1055/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; North Central College 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; North Central College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman North Central College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at UIC (3.41).
• UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than North Central College (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 13.6% at North Central College.

UIC vs. North Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and North Central College? 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).

• North Central College's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than North Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than North Central College graduates ($18,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Central College graduates ($193 vs. $258).
• More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 68%)

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.