US News National Universities: #41 (2016) → #35 (2025)
↑ 6 spots
About University of Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public university in Champaign, IL with 62,417 students. At 43.7% acceptance, it's selective but accessible to students who meet the academic benchmarks. The most popular majors are Engineering, Business/Marketing, and Social Sciences.
Is University of Illinois a Reach, Match, or Safety?
With a 43.7% acceptance rate, University of Illinois is a Match for students who meet the academic profile. If your GPA and test scores are at or above the school average, you have reasonable odds.
Your Profile
University of Illinois Is...
What to Do
Meet academic requirements
Safety
Strong odds — apply with confidence
Slightly below average
Match
Apply — still realistic
University of Illinois True Cost by Family Income
24% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating UIUC enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.
Family Income
Annual Net Price
4-Year Total
vs Sticker Price
$0-30k
$8,400
$33,600
-78%
$30-48k
$10,200
$40,800
-74%
$48-75k
$15,600
$62,400
-60%
$75-110k
$22,800
$91,200
-41%
$110k+
$35,200
$140,800
-9%
University of Illinois Programs & Graduate Salary
Salary outcomes by program, based on earnings data four years after graduation.
Program
US Rank
University of Illinois Salary
National Median
Premium
Computer Science
#5
$90,562
$75,000
+21%
Engineering
#6
$86,940
$72,000
+21%
Mathematics & Statistics
—
$74,865
$62,000
+21%
Business
#17
$63,249
$55,000
+15%
Health Professions
—
$59,799
$52,000
+15%
Physical Sciences
—
$57,959
$48,000
+21%
Architecture
—
$55,199
$48,000
+15%
Social Sciences
—
$51,749
$45,000
+15%
Agriculture & Natural Resources
—
$48,299
$42,000
+15%
Biological Sciences
—
$48,299
$42,000
+15%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
—
$48,299
$42,000
+15%
Communication & Journalism
—
$46,000
$40,000
+15%
History
—
$46,000
$40,000
+15%
Natural Resources & Conservation
—
$46,000
$40,000
+15%
Education
—
$43,700
$38,000
+15%
Public Administration & Social Services
—
$43,700
$38,000
+15%
Foreign Languages & Linguistics
—
$43,700
$38,000
+15%
Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies
—
$43,700
$38,000
+15%
Philosophy & Religious Studies
—
$43,700
$38,000
+15%
Psychology
—
$41,400
$36,000
+15%
English Language & Literature
—
$41,400
$36,000
+15%
Parks, Recreation & Fitness
—
$40,250
$35,000
+15%
Family & Consumer Sciences
—
$40,250
$35,000
+15%
Visual & Performing Arts
—
$39,100
$34,000
+15%
Popular Majors at University of Illinois
Percentage of degrees awarded by field.
Engineering
19.8%
Business/Marketing
13.4%
Social Sciences
7.7%
Computer Science
6.3%
Psychology
6.2%
Agriculture
5.8%
Communication
5.8%
Mathematics/Statistics
5.1%
Biological Sciences
5.1%
Health Professions
4.2%
Multidisciplinary
3.1%
Parks/Recreation
2.8%
Physical Sciences
2.5%
Visual/Performing Arts
2.4%
Student Demographics
White
38.1%
Black/African American
5.8%
Hispanic/Latino
13.2%
Asian
21.6%
International
15.4%
What University of Illinois Looks For in Applicants
Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.
Factor
Importance
Academic Gpa
★★★★★ Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record
★★★★★ Very Important
Class Rank
★★★★ Important
Standardized Test Scores
★★★★ Important
Application Essay
★★★★ Important
Recommendation
★★★ Considered
Extracurricular Activities
★★★★ Important
Talent Ability
★★★★ Important
Character Personal Qualities
★★★ Considered
First Generation
★★★ Considered
Alumni Relation
★★★ Considered
Interview
★★ Not Considered
Work Experience
★★★ Considered
Volunteer Work
★★★ Considered
Financial Aid & Student Debt
24.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$60,800
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Illinois
What is UIUC's acceptance rate?
UIUC has an acceptance rate of 43.7%, making it moderately selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for UIUC?
The middle 50% SAT range at UIUC is 1270-1510. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 29-34. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at UIUC?
The most popular majors at UIUC by degrees awarded are: Engineering (19.8%), Business/Marketing (13.4%), Social Sciences (7.7%), Computer Science (6.3%), Psychology (6.2%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
▎FROM THE DATA TO YOUR LIST
Plug your stats in. We'll tell you where you stand.