UCLA vs University of Illinois Introduction
In this article, we will be comparing two prestigious universities in the United States: The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). We will explore various aspects of each institution, such as costs, admissions, academics, diversity, and more, to help prospective students make informed decisions about their higher education options.
UCLA Overview
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public research university founded in 1919 and located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. With approximately 45,000 students, UCLA is one of the most popular universities in the United States and known for its strong academics and research capabilities.
UCLA Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-22 academic year, the estimated undergraduate tuition and fees for in-state students at UCLA are $13,239, while out-of-state students can expect to pay approx. $42,993. Additional expenses, such as room and board, books, and personal expenses, can add up to an estimated total cost of attendance of $35,791 for in-state students and $65,545 for out-of-state students.
UCLA Admissions
UCLA is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 14.3% for the Fall 2020 entering class. The middle 50% of admitted students had an SAT score between 1280-1520 and an ACT score between 29-35. Most successful applicants have a strong academic and extracurricular background.
UCLA Degrees Offered
UCLA offers more than 125 undergraduate majors across various fields, including engineering, life sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Additionally, the university offers over 200 graduate programs, including 40 interdisciplinary research programs.
UCLA Academics
UCLA is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States and is known for its strong research capabilities. Some of the most popular majors at UCLA include biology, business economics, political science, psychology, and economics.
UCLA Diversity
UCLA is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity on its campus. In Fall 2020, 39% of enrolled undergraduate students were Asian, 27% were White, 21% were Hispanic or Latino, and 3% were African American, with the remaining identifying as multi-racial or other races/ethnicities.
UCLA Students
UCLA has a diverse student body with students from all 50 states and over 100 countries, with international students making up about 15% of the undergraduate population. The university is known for its vibrant campus life, with over 1,000 student clubs and organizations catering to various interests.
UCLA Campus
UCLA’s 419-acre campus in Westwood, Los Angeles, is home to various state-of-the-art facilities, including the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the Fowler Museum, and the Hammer Museum. The campus is known for its beautiful architecture and green spaces, such as the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden and the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden.
UCLA Alumni
UCLA has a strong network of over 500,000 alumni worldwide, including notable figures such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Francis Ford Coppola, Jackie Robinson, and James Franco.
UCLA Rankings
UCLA is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UCLA was ranked No. 1 among public universities and No. 20 overall.
UCLA Outcomes
UCLA boasts a strong post-graduation outcome, with a six-year graduation rate of 91%. According to the university, 89% of recent graduates were employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.
University of Illinois Overview
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is a public research university founded in 1867 and located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign, Illinois. With over 50,000 students, UIUC is one of the largest public universities in the United States, known for its strong engineering, business, and agricultural programs.
University of Illinois Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-22 academic year, the estimated undergraduate tuition and fees for in-state students at UIUC are $16,862, while out-of-state students can expect to pay approx. $34,312. Additional expenses, such as room and board, books, and personal expenses, can add up to an estimated total cost of attendance of $31,946 for in-state students and $49,396 for out-of-state students.
University of Illinois Admissions
UIUC is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 62.2% for the Fall 2020 entering class. The middle 50% of admitted students had an SAT score between 1300-1480 and an ACT score between 27-33. Successful applicants typically have a strong academic profile and a demonstrated interest in their chosen field.
University of Illinois Degrees Offered
UIUC offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and over 100 graduate and professional programs across various disciplines, including engineering, business, agriculture, and liberal arts.
University of Illinois Academics
UIUC is known for its strong engineering, computer science, and business programs. The Grainger College of Engineering is consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the United States, while the Gies College of Business offers highly-regarded programs in finance, accounting, and information systems.
University of Illinois Diversity
In Fall 2020, 49% of enrolled undergraduate students at UIUC were White, 22% were Asian, 12% were Hispanic or Latino, and 5% were African American, with the remaining identifying as multi-racial or other races/ethnicities. International students make up approximately 24% of the undergraduate population.
University of Illinois Students
UIUC has a diverse student body with students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The university offers a vibrant campus life, with over 1,600 student clubs and organizations catering to various interests.
University of Illinois Campus
UIUC’s 4,552-acre campus in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, is one of the largest college campuses in the United States. The campus is known for its iconic buildings, such as the Alma Mater statue, Foellinger Auditorium, and the Beckman Institute, as well as its beautiful green spaces, such as the Arboretum and the Japan House gardens.
University of Illinois Alumni
UIUC has a strong network of over 470,000 alumni worldwide, including notable figures such as Roger Ebert, Hugh Hefner, Larry Page, and Steve Chen.
University of Illinois Rankings
In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UIUC was ranked No. 47 among national universities and No. 14 among public universities in the United States.
University of Illinois Outcomes
UIUC boasts a strong post-graduation outcome, with a six-year graduation rate of 86%. According to the university, 89% of recent graduates were employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.
UCLA vs University of Illinois Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending UCLA and UIUC, it’s important to consider both tuition and fees, as well as room and board, books, and personal expenses. For in-state students, UCLA is estimated to be slightly more affordable, with a total cost of attendance of $35,791 compared to UIUC’s $31,946. However, for out-of-state students, UCLA is significantly more expensive, with an estimated total cost of attendance of $65,545 compared to UIUC’s $49,396.
UCLA vs University of Illinois Admissions Difficulty
In terms of admissions, UCLA is considerably more selective than UIUC, with an acceptance rate of 14.3% compared to UIUC’s 62.2%. Additionally, the middle 50% of admitted students at UCLA tend to have higher SAT and ACT scores than those at UIUC.
UCLA vs University of Illinois Academic Difficulty
Both UCLA and UIUC offer rigorous academic programs, and the difficulty of the coursework will depend on the specific major and program a student chooses. However, given UCLA’s higher selectivity and ranking, it may be perceived as having more challenging academics overall.
UCLA vs University of Illinois Outcome Comparison
Both UCLA and UIUC boast strong post-graduation outcomes, with six-year graduation rates of 91% and 86%, respectively. Additionally, both universities report that 89% of recent graduates were employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. While UCLA has a slightly higher graduation rate, both universities offer strong prospects for their graduates.
