Illinois vs. Hope College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with Hope College in Holland, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Hope College based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Hope College is in Holland, MI (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Hope College 9:1.

Illinois vs. Hope College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Hope 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 Urbana Champaign than Hope College ($13,973 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope College are 10.8% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($12,950 vs. $14,522).
• Hope College is 162.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $25,966 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at Hope College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $6,846 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (97% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 29.3% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($24,945 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Hope College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or Hope 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 Hope College and Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 200 points higher than at Hope College (1220).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Hope College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Hope College 1100/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Hope College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Hope College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Hope College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 20.1% at Hope College.

Illinois vs. Hope College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Hope 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).

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Hope College's (79%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Hope College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hope College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 78%)

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.