Temple vs Illinois urbana-champaign — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Illinois urbana-champaign is the more selective of the two (42.4% vs 80.4% acceptance). Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#401-500 vs #55). Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $64K). Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $38,958 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 selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Illinois urbana-champaign is more selective (42.4% vs 80.4% acceptance); Illinois urbana-champaign has a higher median SAT (1440 vs 1250).
Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $64K); Illinois urbana-champaign has a higher 6-year graduation rate (85.1% vs 75%).
Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $38,958); Illinois urbana-champaign offers a larger average aid package ($23,217 vs $17,833).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Temple | Illinois urbana-champaign |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #401-500 | #55 |
| Rank · THE | — | #46 |
| Acceptance rate | 80.4% | 42.4% |
| Yield rate | 15% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1440 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.40 | — |
| Number of applications | 40,817 | 73,742 |
| International students | 6% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $64K | $81K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $71K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 75% | 85.1% |
| Retention rate | 83% | 94.8% |
| Median debt | $24,395 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $38,958 | $35,124 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,833 | $23,217 |
| % of need met | 60.5% | 0.8% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $41,808 | $22,395 |
| Application fee | $55 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 29,637 | 59,238 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Temple or Illinois urbana-champaign?
It's harder to get into Illinois urbana-champaign. Temple accepts 80.4% of applicants, while Illinois urbana-champaign accepts 42.4%.
Do Temple or Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn more?
Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $81K vs $64K.
How much is tuition at Temple vs Illinois urbana-champaign?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,958 per year at Temple and $35,124 per year at Illinois urbana-champaign.
What SAT score do you need for Temple or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Temple and 1440 at Illinois urbana-champaign; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Temple or Illinois urbana-champaign?
Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #401-500 for Temple vs #55 for Illinois urbana-champaign.
Which university offers more financial aid — Temple or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The average aid package is $17,833 at Temple and $23,217 at Illinois urbana-champaign.
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