UIC vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Washington State based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 25,685 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Washington State University 15:1.

UIC vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or Washington State? 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 Washington State ($10,852 vs. $18,171).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 17.4% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($13,622 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington State (about $947 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $13,391.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Washington State than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $66 more per year; $29,950.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington State University than at University of Illinois Chicago (83% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 53.9% larger than aid received by Washington State University students ($16,755 vs. $10,886).

UIC vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 120 points higher than at Washington State (1120).
• Incoming UIC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Washington State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Washington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Washington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Washington State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UIC (3.41).
• Washington State has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

UIC vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and Washington State? 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).

• Washington State University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Washington State graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $1,679 lower median loan debt than Washington State graduates ($18,750 vs. $20,429).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington State graduates ($193 vs. $211).
• More Washington State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.