Illinois vs. Transylvania University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with Transylvania University in Lexington, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Transylvania University based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,006 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Transylvania University is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Transylvania University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Transylvania University 10:1.

Illinois vs. Transylvania University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Transylvania University? 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 Transylvania University ($13,973 vs. $25,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 1.2% lower than at Transylvania University ($14,522 vs. $14,697).
• Transylvania University is 192.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $30,866 more per year; $46,870.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.4% higher at Transylvania University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $11,746 more per year; $46,870.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Transylvania University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Transylvania University students is 86% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($35,903 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Transylvania University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or Transylvania University? 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 Transylvania University and Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 170 points higher than at Transylvania University (1250).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Transylvania University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Transylvania University 1120/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Transylvania University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Transylvania University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Transylvania University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Transylvania University (3.77).
• Transylvania University has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 16.3% at Transylvania University.

Illinois vs. Transylvania University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Transylvania University? 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 Transylvania University's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than Transylvania University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $48,700), 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 Transylvania University graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Transylvania University graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Transylvania University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 75%)

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.