Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs University of Notre Dame
- Illinois Urbana-Champaign Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 13
- Notre Dame Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Notre Dame achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 85%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $26,780 compared to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355. 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.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,355, roughly $12,425 a year less
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #33
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 23% 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 $19,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 11% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates concentrate in Engineering (21% of degrees); Notre Dame in Business & Marketing (27%). 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 Notre Dame over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $81,054.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over University of Notre Dame. Net price $14,355 vs $26,780.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over University of Notre Dame. THE World Rank #33 vs #63.
Pick University of Notre Dame 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
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of Notre Dame are close on paper, but University of Notre Dame 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
University of Notre Dame is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign takes 42%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,440 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Notre Dame 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 $12,425 a year below University of Notre Dame's $26,780. Graduates of University of Notre Dame also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $49,700 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 Notre Dame graduates report median earnings of $99,980, compared with $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. That is a 23% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Notre Dame has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 23% 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
University of Notre Dame 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 #63.
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 University of Notre Dame 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 $12,425 a year, yet University of Notre Dame graduates earn $18,926 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 #63), but University of Notre Dame alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while University of Notre Dame leans toward Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has less business program depth, and University of Notre Dame offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's enrollment of 36,258 far exceeds University of Notre Dame's 8,818.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $26,780 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 Notre Dame's enrollment, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% of admitted students enroll, versus 29% at Illinois Urbana-Champaign — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
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 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.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit
The University of Notre Dame has an impressive graduation rate of 96%. This means that the vast majority of students who start their studies here complete their degrees on time. Such a high rate indicates strong student support and academic rigor.
According to the Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility outcomes for Notre Dame students are not available. However, the strong graduation rate and high earnings after ten years suggest that graduates from this institution tend to secure stable, well-paying jobs. The average earnings for alumni reach $99,980, reflecting the quality of education and career preparation they receive.
Prospective students should consider the financial aspects as well. The net price for attending Notre Dame is $26,780, with a median debt of $19,000 after graduation. While the Pell Grant rate is 14%, students who thrive here often pursue majors in Business, Engineering, Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science, aligning their education with strong job markets.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Notre Dame is featured on the Best Colleges in Indiana ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Illinois Urbana-Champaign's top program is Mechanical Engineering (21% of enrollment), while Notre Dame leads with Business Administration (27%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Illinois Urbana-Champaign) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while University of Notre Dame concentrates in Biology & Biomedical. 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 42% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which is more affordable, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or University of Notre Dame?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,355 after aid versus $26,780 at University of Notre Dame.
Do University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or University of Notre Dame graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates earn more: median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 85%.
Should you choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or University of Notre Dame?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Notre Dame 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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