Illinois urbana-champaign vs Emory — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Emory is the more selective of the two (10.7% vs 42.4% acceptance). Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#55 vs #101-150). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($81K vs $80K). Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $64,280 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 Illinois urbana-champaign for: a higher world ranking, higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.
Choose Emory for: higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Emory is more selective (10.7% vs 42.4% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1440).
Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $80K); Emory has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.1% vs 85.1%).
Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $64,280); Emory offers a larger average aid package ($67,329 vs $23,217).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Illinois urbana-champaign | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #55 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #46 | — |
| Acceptance rate | 42.4% | 10.7% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 40.4% |
| Median SAT | 1440 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.80 |
| Number of applications | 73,742 | 34,614 |
| International students | 25% | 19% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $81K | $80K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $71K | $84K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $120K |
| Graduation rate | 85.1% | 91.1% |
| Retention rate | 94.8% | 96% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $18,250 |
| Tuition · year | $35,124 | $64,280 |
| Avg. aid package | $23,217 | $67,329 |
| % of need met | 0.8% | 99.9% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,395 | $24,562 |
| Application fee | $50 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 59,238 | 15,179 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Illinois urbana-champaign or Emory?
It's harder to get into Emory. Illinois urbana-champaign accepts 42.4% of applicants, while Emory accepts 10.7%.
Do Illinois urbana-champaign or Emory graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal — 10 years after enrollment, the median is $81K at Illinois urbana-champaign and $80K at Emory.
How much is tuition at Illinois urbana-champaign vs Emory?
Sticker-price tuition is $35,124 per year at Illinois urbana-champaign and $64,280 per year at Emory.
What SAT score do you need for Illinois urbana-champaign or Emory?
The median admitted SAT score is 1440 at Illinois urbana-champaign and 1520 at Emory; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Illinois urbana-champaign or Emory?
Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #55 for Illinois urbana-champaign vs #101-150 for Emory.
Which university offers more financial aid — Illinois urbana-champaign or Emory?
The average aid package is $23,217 at Illinois urbana-champaign and $67,329 at Emory.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern