UIC vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than UIC based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 33,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

UIC vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or UC? 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 UC ($10,852 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 17.8% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($13,564 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $362 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at UIC than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $574 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Illinois Chicago than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (74% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 104.4% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($16,755 vs. $8,196).

UIC vs. UC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC or UC? 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 UC and UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 30 points higher than at UIC (1240).
• Incoming UIC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UIC (3.41).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 22.5% at UC.

UIC vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and UC? 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).

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($18,750 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($193 vs. $237).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 57%)

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.