Illinois vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Minnesota based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 56,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); University of Minnesota Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

Illinois vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Minnesota? 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 Minnesota ($13,973 vs. $17,209).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 4.6% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,856 vs. $14,522).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $1,210 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at Minnesota than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $3,238 more per year; $38,362.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (65% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 53.8% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($19,299 vs. $12,552).

Illinois vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 20 points higher than at Minnesota (1400).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Minnesota - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

Illinois vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Minnesota? 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 University of Minnesota Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Minnesota graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $315 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($20,185 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($208 vs. $211).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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.