Texas rio grande valley 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 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 ($19,827 vs $35,124 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 (42.4% vs 94.2% acceptance); Illinois urbana-champaign has a higher median SAT (1440 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 ($19,827 vs $35,124); 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% | 42.4% |
| Yield rate | 55.4% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 985 | 1440 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 12,137 | 73,742 |
| International students | 3% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $81K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $71K |
| 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 | $19,827 | $35,124 |
| 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 42.4%.
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 $19,827 per year at Texas rio grande valley and $35,124 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 1440 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.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern