Deciding between two prestigious universities can be a daunting task. This comparison between Purdue-West University and the University of Illinois will provide you with an overview of their costs and tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, students, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes. By the end of this article, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of both universities, helping you make an informed decision on which institution best suits your needs and aspirations.
Purdue-West University Overview
Purdue-West University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a world-renowned public research university offering more than 200 undergraduate programs and over 70 graduate degrees. Established in 1869, Purdue-West is known for its excellence in engineering, science, agriculture, and business.
Purdue-West University Costs & Tuition
Purdue-West University is known for its affordable tuition rates, offering both in-state and out-of-state students an excellent education at a reasonable cost. For the 2020-2021 academic year, in-state students can expect to pay around $9,992, while out-of-state students will pay approximately $28,794 in tuition.
Purdue-West University Admissions
Admission to Purdue-West University is competitive. For the Fall 2020 freshmen class, the acceptance rate was at roughly 60%. Students applying to Purdue-West should have a strong academic background, with an average high school GPA of 3.5-4.0 and SAT scores ranging from 1180-1420 or ACT scores of 25-32.
Purdue-West University Degrees Offered
Purdue-West University offers a wide range of degree programs, spanning across various disciplines. Popular undergraduate majors include Engineering, Business, Agriculture, Health & Human Sciences, and Liberal Arts. Graduates can choose from over 70 master’s and doctoral degrees, including Engineering, Science, and Management.
Purdue-West University Academics
Students attending Purdue-West University can expect a rigorous academic experience. The institution offers a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, allowing students to have personalized interactions with their instructors. Purdue-West also boasts numerous research opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and a strong emphasis on hands-on learning.
Purdue-West University Diversity
Purdue-West University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. The university has students from all 50 states and over 130 countries, with around 22% of the student population identifying as an underrepresented minority.
Purdue-West University Students
There are approximately 34,920 undergraduate students and 10,500 graduate students enrolled at Purdue-West University. The university offers a vibrant campus life, with over 1,000 student organizations and a myriad of cultural events, sports, and recreational activities.
Purdue-West University Campus
The Purdue-West University campus sprawls across 2,468 acres, featuring modern academic buildings, research facilities, and a mixture of historic and contemporary architecture. The campus also offers a range of dining options, recreational facilities, and student support services.
Purdue-West University Alumni
Purdue-West University has a strong alumni network, with over 450,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon; Orville Redenbacher, popcorn magnate; and Drew Brees, NFL quarterback.
Purdue-West University Rankings
Purdue-West University consistently ranks highly in national and international rankings, with a current ranking of #53 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report (2021). The university also ranks #4 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs and #9 in Best Undergraduate Business Programs.
Purdue-West University Outcomes
Purdue-West University boasts a strong track record of student success, with a six-year graduation rate of 81.2% and a four-year graduation rate of 51.2%. The university also has a 93% placement rate for graduates, meaning that within six months of graduation, 93% of students are employed or enrolled in graduate school.
University of Illinois Overview
The University of Illinois, located in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, is a prestigious public research university founded in 1867. Known for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, and business, the university offers over 150 undergraduate and over 100 graduate programs.
University of Illinois Costs & Tuition
The University of Illinois offers a competitive tuition cost for both in-state and out-of-state students. For the 2020-2021 academic year, in-state students can expect to pay around $15,122, while out-of-state students will pay approximately $32,264 in tuition.
University of Illinois Admissions
Admission to the University of Illinois is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 62% for the Fall 2019 freshmen class. Students applying to the University of Illinois should have strong academic credentials, with an average high school GPA of 3.6-4.0 and SAT scores ranging from 1220-1480 or ACT scores of 27-33.
University of Illinois Degrees Offered
The University of Illinois offers a diverse range of degree programs across various disciplines. Popular undergraduate majors include Engineering, Business, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Fine & Applied Arts, and Agricultural, Consumer, & Environmental Sciences. Graduate students can choose from over 100 master’s and doctoral degree programs, such as Engineering, Computer Science, and Business.
University of Illinois Academics
Students at the University of Illinois can expect a challenging and engaging academic environment. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1, providing students with the opportunity to interact with their professors closely. The University of Illinois also offers extensive research opportunities, innovative facilities, and a commitment to experiential learning.
University of Illinois Diversity
The University of Illinois is dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus community. The university has students from all 50 states and over 100 countries, with around 26% of the student population identifying as an underrepresented minority.
University of Illinois Students
There are approximately 32,600 undergraduate students and 16,000 graduate students enrolled at the University of Illinois. The university offers a vibrant campus life, with over 1,600 student organizations and a wide variety of cultural events, sports, and recreational activities.
University of Illinois Campus
The University of Illinois campus covers 4,550 acres, featuring a mixture of historic and contemporary architecture, state-of-the-art academic buildings, and research facilities. The campus also offers various dining options, recreational facilities, and student support services.
University of Illinois Alumni
The University of Illinois has a strong and influential alumni network, with over 475,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include Roger Ebert, Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic; Steve Chen, co-founder of YouTube; and Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape and venture capitalist.
University of Illinois Rankings
The University of Illinois consistently ranks highly in national and international rankings. Currently, the university ranks #47 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report (2021). The university also ranks #6 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs and #15 in Best Undergraduate Business Programs.
University of Illinois Outcomes
The University of Illinois has a strong track record of student success, with a six-year graduation rate of 85.3% and a four-year graduation rate of 71.8%. The university also has a 91% placement rate for graduates, meaning that within six months of graduation, 91% of students are employed or enrolled in graduate school.
Purdue-West University vs University of Illinois Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attendance between Purdue-West University and the University of Illinois, it is important to factor in both tuition and additional expenses such as room and board, books, and transportation. For in-state students, Purdue-West University offers a lower tuition cost at $9,992 compared to the University of Illinois at $15,122. For out-of-state students, Purdue-West University also offers a slightly lower tuition rate of $28,794 compared to the University of Illinois at $32,264.
Purdue-West University vs University of Illinois Admissions Difficulty
Admissions to both Purdue-West University and the University of Illinois are competitive, with acceptance rates of 60% and 62% respectively. Both universities require strong academic credentials, including high school GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and a well-rounded application. Although there is no significant difference in the difficulty of admissions, each university may place more emphasis on specific aspects of the application, such as extracurricular involvement, essays, or letters of recommendation.
Purdue-West University vs University of Illinois Academic Difficulty
Both Purdue-West University and the University of Illinois offer rigorous academic programs. Purdue-West University has a lower student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, compared to the University of Illinois at 20:1, which may indicate more personalized interactions with professors. However, both universities provide extensive research opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to experiential learning. The academic difficulty at both institutions will largely depend on the specific program and a student’s individual learning style and preferences.
Purdue-West University vs University of Illinois Outcome Comparison
Both Purdue-West University and the University of Illinois have strong outcomes for their graduates. Purdue-West University has a slightly higher placement rate of 93% compared to the University of Illinois at 91%. The six-year graduation rate for Purdue-West University is 81.2%, while the University of Illinois has a higher rate of 85.3%. Ultimately, the success of a student at either institution will depend on factors such as the chosen program, academic performance, and individual career goals.
