North carolina vs Illinois urbana-champaign — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
North carolina is the more selective of the two (15.3% vs 42.4% acceptance). North carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#35 vs #55). Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $72K). Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $41,203 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 North carolina for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Illinois urbana-champaign for: higher graduate earnings, lower tuition, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
North carolina is more selective (15.3% vs 42.4% acceptance); Illinois urbana-champaign has a higher median SAT (1440 vs 1439).
Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $72K); North carolina has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.2% vs 85.1%).
Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $41,203); Illinois urbana-champaign offers a larger average aid package ($23,217 vs $20,705).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | North carolina | Illinois urbana-champaign |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #35 | #55 |
| Rank · THE | #70 | #46 |
| Acceptance rate | 15.3% | 42.4% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1439 | 1440 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.50 | — |
| Number of applications | 66,535 | 73,742 |
| International students | 9% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $72K | $81K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $69K | $71K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $112K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 91.2% | 85.1% |
| Retention rate | 96.6% | 94.8% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $41,203 | $35,124 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,705 | $23,217 |
| % of need met | 100% | 0.8% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,382 | $22,395 |
| Application fee | $85 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 32,680 | 59,238 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into North carolina or Illinois urbana-champaign?
It's harder to get into North carolina. North carolina accepts 15.3% of applicants, while Illinois urbana-champaign accepts 42.4%.
Do North carolina or Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn more?
Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $81K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at North carolina vs Illinois urbana-champaign?
Sticker-price tuition is $41,203 per year at North carolina and $35,124 per year at Illinois urbana-champaign.
What SAT score do you need for North carolina or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The median admitted SAT score is 1439 at North carolina and 1440 at Illinois urbana-champaign; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — North carolina or Illinois urbana-champaign?
North carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #35 for North carolina vs #55 for Illinois urbana-champaign.
Which university offers more financial aid — North carolina or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The average aid package is $20,705 at North carolina and $23,217 at Illinois urbana-champaign.
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