Boston college vs Illinois urbana-champaign — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Boston college is the more selective of the two (16.4% vs 42.4% acceptance). Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #55). Boston college graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $81K). Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $70,702 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical — the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Boston college for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Illinois urbana-champaign for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Boston college is more selective (16.4% vs 42.4% acceptance); Boston college has a higher median SAT (1507 vs 1440).
Boston college graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $81K); Boston college has a higher 6-year graduation rate (90.8% vs 85.1%).
Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $70,702); Boston college offers a larger average aid package ($61,753 vs $23,217).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston college | Illinois urbana-champaign |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #55 |
| Rank · THE | — | #46 |
| Acceptance rate | 16.4% | 42.4% |
| Yield rate | 42.5% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1507 | 1440 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 34,779 | 73,742 |
| International students | 12% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $81K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $71K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $162K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 90.8% | 85.1% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 94.8% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $70,702 | $35,124 |
| Avg. aid package | $61,753 | $23,217 |
| % of need met | 100% | 0.8% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,892 | $22,395 |
| Application fee | — | $50 |
| Enrollment | 14,726 | 59,238 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston college or Illinois urbana-champaign?
It's harder to get into Boston college. Boston college accepts 16.4% of applicants, while Illinois urbana-champaign accepts 42.4%.
Do Boston college or Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn more?
Boston college graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $81K.
How much is tuition at Boston college vs Illinois urbana-champaign?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,702 per year at Boston college and $35,124 per year at Illinois urbana-champaign.
What SAT score do you need for Boston college or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The median admitted SAT score is 1507 at Boston college and 1440 at Illinois urbana-champaign; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Boston college or Illinois urbana-champaign?
Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Boston college vs #55 for Illinois urbana-champaign.
Which university offers more financial aid — Boston college or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The average aid package is $61,753 at Boston college and $23,217 at Illinois urbana-champaign.
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