Stanford vs Illinois urbana-champaign — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.6% vs 42.4% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #55). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $81K). Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $65,910 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 Stanford for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Illinois urbana-champaign for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.6% vs 42.4% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1440).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $81K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 85.1%).
Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $65,910); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($75,816 vs $23,217).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Illinois urbana-champaign |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #55 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | #46 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.6% | 42.4% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1440 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | — |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 73,742 |
| International students | 23% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $81K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $71K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 85.1% |
| Retention rate | 97% | 94.8% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $65,910 | $35,124 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,816 | $23,217 |
| % of need met | 100% | 0.8% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $22,395 |
| Application fee | $100 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 59,238 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Illinois urbana-champaign?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.6% of applicants, while Illinois urbana-champaign accepts 42.4%.
Do Stanford or Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $81K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Illinois urbana-champaign?
Sticker-price tuition is $65,910 per year at Stanford and $35,124 per year at Illinois urbana-champaign.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Stanford and 1440 at Illinois urbana-champaign; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Stanford or Illinois urbana-champaign?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #55 for Illinois urbana-champaign.
Which university offers more financial aid — Stanford or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The average aid package is $75,816 at Stanford and $23,217 at Illinois urbana-champaign.
Harvard
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina