UIC vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of St Thomas in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than University of St Thomas based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 9,410 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

UIC vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or University of St Thomas? 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 University of St Thomas ($10,852 vs. $31,250).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Thomas are 9.3% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($14,969 vs. $16,500).
• University of St Thomas is 279.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $40,060 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82% higher at University of St Thomas than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $24,514 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Thomas than at University of Illinois Chicago (95% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Thomas students is 112.4% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($35,587 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC or University of St Thomas? 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 University of St Thomas and UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Thomas (1340) is 100 points higher than at UIC (1240).
• Incoming UIC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at University of St Thomas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of St Thomas students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at UIC (3.41).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

UIC vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $100 more per year than UIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than University of St Thomas graduates ($18,750 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Thomas graduates ($193 vs. $268).
• More University of St Thomas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.