Academic Comparison between Penn State and UIUC

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Both Schools are four-year, public. Penn State is located in University Park, PA and UIUC is located in Champaign, IL.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Both schools are four-year, public schools.
  • Penn State has more expensive tuition & fees ($40,188) than UIUC ($39,192).
  • It is harder to admit to UIUC than Penn State.
  • UIUC has a higher submitted SAT score (1,310) than Penn State (1,310).
  • UIUC has higher submitted ACT score (29) than Penn State (29).
  • UIUC has more students with 56,916 students while Penn State has 50,028 students.
  • Penn State has a lower number of students per faculty with 15 to 1 while UIUC's ratio is 21 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 2,994 faculties while UIUC has 2,434 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Penn State UIUC
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campusvs.University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University Park, PennsylvaniaLocationChampaign, Illinois
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$20,234
Out-Of-State$40,188
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$18,060
Out-Of-State$39,192
56%% Receiving Financial Aid58%
$11,574Average Amount of Financial Aid$16,449
54.22 %Acceptance Rates43.69 %
19.40 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)28.27 %
1,310SAT Score1,410
29ACT Score32
83 %Graduation Rate84 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate-
91 %Retention Rate93 %
50,028Student Population56,916
2,994Number of Faculties2,434
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio21 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare