Skip to content

College Comparison

Stanford University vs UIUC: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

School

UIUC

Champaign, IL

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricStanfordUIUC
Acceptance Rate3.9%wins43.7%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1510–1580wins1270–1510
ACT Range (25th–75th)34–35wins29–34
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,484$34,501wins
Avg Net Price$12,136wins$15,201
Median Earnings (10 yr)$124,080wins$81,054
Graduation Rate92.8%wins84.9%
Retention Rate97.8%wins94.3%
Student–Faculty Ratio6:1wins20:1
Total Enrollment7,84134,623wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Stanford edges out UIUC on 8 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Stanford Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 3.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1510–1580
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
  • Avg Net Price: $12,136

UIUC Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $34,501
  • Total Enrollment: 34,623

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons