Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs Villanova University
- Illinois Urbana-Champaign Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 19
- Villanova Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Villanova University achieves a higher graduation rate (92% vs 85%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $43,756 compared to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355. 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.
54 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 $29,401 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,500, the lower of the two
Villanova
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, 24% more than University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Higher grad rate: 92% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 27% 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); Villanova in Business & Marketing (23%). 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 Villanova University over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment vs $81,054.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over Villanova University. Net price $14,355 vs $43,756.
Pick Villanova University over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 92% 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 Villanova University are close on paper, but Villanova University wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Villanova University is the harder admit. It takes 27% of applicants, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign takes 42%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,440 to 1,460.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Villanova 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 $29,401 a year below Villanova University's $43,756. Graduates of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also borrow less: median debt of $19,500, against $25,874.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $117,604 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, Villanova University graduates report median earnings of $100,423, compared with $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. That is a 24% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.24x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 24% 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
Villanova University graduates a larger share of its students, 92% versus 85%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% 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 Villanova 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 $29,401 a year, yet Villanova University graduates earn $19,369 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. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while Villanova University 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 Villanova University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's enrollment of 36,258 far exceeds Villanova University's 6,938.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $43,756 runs well above University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,874, against $19,500 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Villanova University's enrollment, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Illinois Urbana-Champaign holds onto its admits more tightly: 29% of admitted students enroll, versus 28% at Villanova — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Villanova 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 Villanova, where only about 28% 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
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.
Villanova University
Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit
At Villanova University, students can expect a tight-knit campus environment with an enrollment of just under 7,000. This university is a great fit for those pursuing degrees in Business and Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Communications. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it attracts motivated students who are ready to engage deeply in their studies and community.
Looking ahead, graduates from Villanova see impressive outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $100,423, which speaks volumes about the value of a Villanova degree in today’s job market. The school's strong graduation rate of 92% indicates that students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, setting them up for success in their chosen fields.
When it comes to the financial side, the net price after financial aid is $43,756, which is important to consider alongside the median debt level of $25,874. This suggests that while the costs can be significant, many students manage to navigate their financial responsibilities effectively. Those who thrive here are often driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the resources Villanova offers to propel their careers forward.
Rankings They Appear On
Villanova University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Illinois Urbana-Champaign's top program is Mechanical Engineering (21% of enrollment), while Villanova leads with Business Administration (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Illinois Urbana-Champaign) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Villanova).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while Villanova University concentrates in Health Professions. 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.
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Villanova University?
Villanova University is harder to get into, admitting 27% of applicants compared with 42% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which is more affordable, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Villanova University?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,355 after aid versus $43,756 at Villanova University.
Do University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Villanova University graduates earn more?
Villanova University graduates earn more: median earnings of $100,423 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 Villanova University?
Villanova University has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 85%.
Should you choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Villanova University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Villanova 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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