Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Connecticut vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Connecticut Wins
- 8
- Tied
- 12
- Illinois Urbana-Champaign Wins
- 32
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,355 vs University of Connecticut's $25,097, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Connecticut
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $81,054 ten years after enrollment, 10% more than University of Connecticut
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,355, roughly $10,742 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 42% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #33
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Connecticut graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (13% 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over University of Connecticut. Median earnings of $81,054 ten years after enrollment vs $73,997.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over University of Connecticut. Net price $14,355 vs $25,097.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over University of Connecticut. THE World Rank #33 vs #251-275.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Connecticut and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are close on paper, but University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the harder admit. It takes 42% of applicants, while University of Connecticut takes 52%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,348 to 1,440.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 $10,742 a year below University of Connecticut's $25,097. Graduates of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also borrow less: median debt of $19,500, against $21,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $42,968 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, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates report median earnings of $81,054, compared with $73,997 at University of Connecticut. That is a 10% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.24x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 10% 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.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign sits higher, at #33 versus #251.
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.
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
Their academic identities diverge. University of Connecticut concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Health Professions, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,097 runs well above University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Connecticut's enrollment, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's enrollment of 36,258 far exceeds University of Connecticut's 19,835.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Illinois Urbana-Champaign holds onto its admits more tightly: 29% of admitted students enroll, versus 15% at Connecticut — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Connecticut 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.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 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
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · Public
More than 19,800 students call the University of Connecticut home, making it one of the largest public universities in New England. With an acceptance rate of 52%, it balances accessibility and selectivity, welcoming a diverse range of students to its Storrs campus.
Graduates from UConn see a strong return on investment, with a median earnings figure of $73,997 ten years after graduation. Although specific mobility rates are not available, the high graduation rate of 84% suggests that the majority of students successfully complete their degrees, which is a strong indicator of positive outcomes for those who enroll.
Attending UConn costs an average net price of $25,097, while 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to helping lower-income students access higher education. With a median debt of $21,500, graduates leave with manageable financial burdens. Students thrive in programs like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Engineering, where strong career paths are prevalent.
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
University of Connecticut is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Connecticut's top program is Sociology (13% of enrollment), while Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with Mechanical Engineering (21%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Connecticut) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Connecticut is strongest in Health Professions, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign concentrates in Computer Science & IT. 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.
Connecticut
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Connecticut or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is harder to get into, admitting 42% of applicants compared with 52% at University of Connecticut.
Which is more affordable, University of Connecticut 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 $25,097 at University of Connecticut.
Do University of Connecticut or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more: median earnings of $81,054 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Connecticut or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the higher graduation rate, 85% versus 84%.
Should you choose University of Connecticut 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. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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