Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs Washington and Lee University
- Illinois Urbana-Champaign Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 22
- Washington Lee Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Washington and Lee University achieves a higher graduation rate (94% vs 85%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $23,781 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.
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 $9,426 a year less
Washington Lee
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $94,810 ten years after enrollment, 17% more than University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Higher grad rate: 94% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 14% 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); Washington Lee in Business & Marketing (32%). 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 Washington and Lee University over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median earnings of $94,810 ten years after enrollment vs $81,054.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over Washington and Lee University. Net price $14,355 vs $23,781.
Pick Washington and Lee University over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 94% 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 Washington and Lee University are close on paper, but Washington and Lee 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
Washington and Lee 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, 1,440 to 1,498.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Washington and Lee 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 $9,426 a year below Washington and Lee University's $23,781.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $37,704 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, Washington and Lee University graduates report median earnings of $94,810, compared with $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. That is a 17% advantage. Set against borrowing, Washington and Lee University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 17% 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
Washington and Lee University graduates a larger share of its students, 94% versus 85%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 9% 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 Washington and Lee 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 $9,426 a year, yet Washington and Lee University graduates earn $13,756 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 Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Washington and Lee University leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical. 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 Washington and Lee University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's enrollment of 36,258 far exceeds Washington and Lee University's 1,881.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $23,781 runs well above University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Washington and Lee University's enrollment, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington Lee holds onto its admits more tightly: 41% of admitted students enroll, versus 29% at Illinois Urbana-Champaign — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Washington Lee 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) 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.
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 14%, Washington and Lee University draws students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply in their studies. This private institution, located in Lexington, Virginia, is known for strong programs in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Physical Sciences. If you’re looking for a place that encourages critical thinking and a close-knit community, this might just be the right fit for you.
Graduates from Washington and Lee see impressive earnings, with a median income of $94,810 ten years after graduation. This kind of financial outcome suggests that students who excel here are well-prepared for the job market and often find themselves in higher-paying positions. The strong graduation rate of 94% also points to a supportive environment that helps students succeed academically and transition smoothly into their careers.
When it comes to the practicalities of attending Washington and Lee, the net price after aid stands at $23,781, which is relatively manageable given the high earning potential post-graduation. With a median debt of $19,500, students can graduate with a reasonable amount of loans, especially considering the high salaries many alumni achieve. Those who thrive here are typically driven, engaged, and ready to make the most of their educational experience.
Rankings They Appear On
Washington and Lee University is featured on the Best Colleges in Virginia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Illinois Urbana-Champaign's top program is Mechanical Engineering (21% of enrollment), while Washington Lee leads with Business Administration (32%).
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Illinois Urbana-Champaign) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Washington Lee).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Washington and Lee University concentrates in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. 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 Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 42% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which is more affordable, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Washington and Lee University?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,355 after aid versus $23,781 at Washington and Lee University.
Do University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Washington and Lee University graduates earn more?
Washington and Lee University graduates earn more: median earnings of $94,810 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 Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 85%.
Should you choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Washington and Lee University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Washington and Lee 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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