Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Brown Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 15
- Illinois Urbana-Champaign Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Brown University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 85%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $25,184 compared to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355 for in-state paths. Students who choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $81,054 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, 15% more than University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,428, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,355, roughly $10,829 a year less
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #33
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% of degrees); Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Engineering (21%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Brown University over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment vs $81,054.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over Brown University. Net price $14,355 vs $25,184.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over Brown University. THE World Rank #33 vs #55.
Pick Brown University over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 96% completion rate vs 85%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brown University and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are close on paper, but Brown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Brown University is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign takes 42%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,440.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Brown University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,355, about $10,829 a year below Brown University's $25,184. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $43,316 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Brown University graduates report median earnings of $93,487, compared with $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. That is a 15% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 15% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Brown University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 85%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 11% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign sits higher, at #33 versus #55.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to keep costs and debt down; pick Brown University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign saves about $10,829 a year, yet Brown University graduates earn $12,433 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks higher globally (#33 vs #55), but Brown University alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. Brown University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leans toward Engineering, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,184 runs well above University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355.
- Engineering-focused students: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,500, against $11,428 at Brown University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's enrollment of 36,258 far exceeds Brown University's 7,226.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Brown holds onto its admits more tightly: 63% of admitted students enroll, versus 29% at Illinois Urbana-Champaign — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Brown offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Illinois Urbana-Champaign does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where only about 56% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Brown University in Providence, RI, is a selective option that attracts students driven to excel academically and personally. It’s a place for those who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to dive into programs like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Engineering. The high graduation rate of 96% speaks to the strong support system in place, making it a solid choice for ambitious students.
After graduation, Brown alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $93,487 ten years post-graduation. This financial trajectory suggests that graduates are not just securing jobs, but often moving into roles that reward their hard work. While this school may come with a price tag, the outcomes reflect a community that values education and shapes successful careers.
When it comes to the finances, the net price after aid stands at $25,184, and the median debt is relatively manageable at $11,428. This is encouraging, especially for students who may be concerned about student loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated and ready to engage deeply with their studies, taking full advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public
More than 36,000 students choose the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for its strong academic programs and vibrant campus life. With an acceptance rate of 42%, the university maintains a competitive edge while welcoming a diverse student body. The graduation rate stands at an impressive 85%, indicating a supportive environment for student success.
Data from Opportunity Insights highlights that graduates from Illinois Urbana-Champaign can expect solid economic mobility. The average earnings for alumni ten years after graduation reach $81,054, suggesting that degrees from this university translate into significant financial benefits. While specific mobility rates are not available, the school’s emphasis on high-demand fields like Engineering, Business, and Computer Science supports upward mobility for many graduates.
Cost considerations are crucial for students. The net price for attending is approximately $14,355, which is manageable compared to potential earnings. Graduates carry a median debt of $19,500, a figure that aligns with the financial landscape of public universities. Students who thrive here typically have a strong interest in STEM fields or business, benefiting from robust programs and a collaborative campus culture.
Rankings They Appear On
Brown University is featured on the Best Colleges in Rhode Island ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Brown's top program is Sociology (25% of enrollment), while Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with Mechanical Engineering (21%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Brown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Mathematics & Statistics, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign concentrates in Engineering, Business & Marketing. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Brown University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 42% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,355 after aid versus $25,184 at Brown University.
Do Brown University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more?
Brown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Brown University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 85%.
Should you choose Brown University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Brown University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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