Head-to-Head Comparison
Colgate University vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Colgate Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 21
- Illinois Urbana-Champaign Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Colgate University achieves a higher graduation rate (91% vs 85%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $28,786 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
Colgate
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment, 5% more than University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 14% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,355, roughly $14,431 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Colgate graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (34% 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 Colgate University over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment vs $81,054.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over Colgate University. Net price $14,355 vs $28,786.
Pick Colgate University over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 91% completion rate vs 85%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Colgate University and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are close on paper, but Colgate 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
Colgate University is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign takes 42%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,508 to 1,440.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Colgate 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 $14,431 a year below Colgate University's $28,786. Graduates of Colgate University also borrow less: median debt of $15,000, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $57,724 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, Colgate University graduates report median earnings of $85,139, compared with $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. That is a 5% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colgate University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 5% 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
Colgate University graduates a larger share of its students, 91% versus 85%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to keep costs and debt down; pick Colgate 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 $14,431 a year, yet Colgate University graduates earn $4,085 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Colgate 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 $28,786 runs well above University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Colgate University's enrollment, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is stronger here.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,500, against $15,000 at Colgate University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's enrollment of 36,258 far exceeds Colgate University's 3,180.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Illinois Urbana-Champaign holds onto its admits more tightly: 29% of admitted students enroll, versus 29% at Colgate — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Colgate 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 Colgate, where only about 37% 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
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 14%, Colgate University attracts students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply with their studies. This school is a great fit for those interested in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science, and Physical Sciences. The tight-knit community and emphasis on critical thinking make it a place where students can really thrive.
After graduation, Colgate alums see an impressive median earnings of $85,139 after ten years. This strong financial outcome reflects not just the quality of education, but also the commitment of students to leverage their degrees in meaningful ways. While the Pell Grant rate sits at 13%, the majority of students manage to find success in their careers, illustrating that hard work and dedication pay off.
On the practical side, the net price after aid stands at $28,786, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. The median debt of $15,000 is relatively low, suggesting that most students graduate with a solid financial footing. Those who tend to thrive here are motivated individuals seeking a challenging academic environment and who value the connections made during their time at Colgate.
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
Colgate University is featured on the Best Biology Colleges in New York ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Colgate's top program is Sociology (34% of enrollment), while Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with Mechanical Engineering (21%).
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colgate) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colgate University is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, 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 Colgate University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Colgate University is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 42% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which is more affordable, Colgate 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 $28,786 at Colgate University.
Do Colgate University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more?
Colgate University graduates earn more: median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colgate University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Colgate University has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 85%.
Should you choose Colgate 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 Colgate 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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