Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Illinois Urbana-Champaign - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Illinois Urbana-Champaign admits 42.4% of applicants, while Texas Rio Grande Valley admits 94.2%.
The more international environment is at Illinois Urbana-Champaign (14.9% international students) than Texas Rio Grande Valley (1.7%).
On paper the cheaper option is Texas Rio Grande Valley: $22,287 against $38,400, which is $16,113 less a year.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Illinois Urbana-Champaign: $81K against $50K.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the more selective of the two (42.37% vs 94.2% acceptance). Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #55). Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $50K). Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 vs $38,400 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 Texas Rio Grande Valley for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 (42.37% vs 94.2% acceptance); Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 985).
Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $50K); Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a higher 6-year graduation rate (85.1% vs 50.9%).
Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 vs $38,400); Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a larger average aid package ($23,217 vs $11,242).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Texas Rio Grande Valley | Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #55 |
| Rank · THE | - | #46 |
| Acceptance rate | 94.2% | 42.37% |
| Yield rate | 55.4% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 985 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 12,137 | 73,742 |
| International students | 1.7% | 14.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $81K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $29K | $55K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 50.9% | 85.1% |
| Retention rate | 78.9% | 94.8% |
| Median debt | $12,950 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $22,287 | $38,400 |
| Avg. aid package | $11,242 | $23,217 |
| % of need met | 72% | 0.8% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $14,589 | $22,395 |
| Application fee | - | $50 |
| Enrollment | 31,864 | 59,238 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Texas Rio Grande Valley or Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
It's harder to get into Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts 94.2% of applicants, while Illinois Urbana-Champaign accepts 42.37%.
Do Texas Rio Grande Valley or Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more?
Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $81K vs $50K.
How much is tuition at Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Sticker-price tuition is $22,287 per year at Texas Rio Grande Valley and $38,400 per year at Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
What SAT score do you need for Texas Rio Grande Valley or Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
The median admitted SAT score is 985 at Texas Rio Grande Valley and 1470 at Illinois Urbana-Champaign; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Texas Rio Grande Valley or Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Texas Rio Grande Valley vs #55 for Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which university offers more financial aid - Texas Rio Grande Valley or Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
The average aid package is $11,242 at Texas Rio Grande Valley and $23,217 at Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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