Illinois vs. William Jewell College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with William Jewell College in Liberty, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than William Jewell College based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 959 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Illinois vs. William Jewell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or William Jewell 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 William Jewell College ($13,973 vs. $19,294).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Jewell College are 22% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($11,320 vs. $14,522).
• William Jewell College is 28.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $4,606 more per year; $20,610.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.4% higher at Illinois than at William Jewell College (about $14,514 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $20,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Jewell College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 16.6% larger than aid received by William Jewell College students ($19,299 vs. $16,552).

Illinois vs. William Jewell College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or William Jewell College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between William Jewell College and Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 240 points higher than at William Jewell College (1180).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 21 at William Jewell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; William Jewell College 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; William Jewell College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; William Jewell College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Illinois students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at William Jewell College (3.61).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than William Jewell College (38.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 33% at William Jewell College.

Illinois vs. William Jewell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and William Jewell College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than William Jewell College's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than William Jewell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $48,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than William Jewell College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Jewell College graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More William Jewell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.