University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) vs Oregon State

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, or Corvallis, Oregon, home to the esteemed University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and Oregon State University (OSU), respectively. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences. UIUC boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its highly selective admissions process, while OSU welcomes a more diverse student body. UIUC excels in engineering, computer science, and business, while OSU shines in agriculture, forestry, and marine sciences. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including graduation rates, tuition fees, and campus life, to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Oregon State University	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Overview
Location	Corvallis, Oregon	Champaign, Illinois
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	87.0%	93.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	89.2%	59.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $70
SAT range	1120 - 1370	1320 - 1510
ACT range	21 - 28	29 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	25.0%	43.0%
Students submitting ACT score	13.0%	24.0%
Total number of applicants	23,188	47,593
Total number of admissions given out	20,687	28,395
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,965	8,297
Yield rate	19.2%	29.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $29,393 Out of state: $48,784	In state: $31,636 Out of state: $49,086
Average net price	$20,318	$14,272
Tuition	In state: $10,065 Out of state: $29,456	In state: $12,254 Out of state: $29,704
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,260 Meal plan: $4,500	$12,494
Available payment plans		Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	87.0% Average amount $9,156	82.0% Average amount $11,212
Students receiving federal student loan	28.0% Average amount $4,944	33.0% Average amount $4,889
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $18,709	8.0% Average amount $7,014

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	27,564 Men 52.0% Women 48.0%	34,779 Men 54.1% Women 45.9%
Graduate students	5,629 Men 46.2% Women 53.8%	21,828 Men 55.8% Women 44.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	35.8%	19.1%
International students	7.6%	20.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	5,055	16,111
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Oregon California Washington Hawaii Colorado	Illinois California New Jersey Texas New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Education Natural Resources and Conservation Biological and Biomedical Sciences Health Professions	Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Agriculture Education
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	21:1
Institutional accreditation	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	68.2%	84.9%
Dropout rate	10.0%	14.2%
Transferred out	18.9%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $114,696 Year 2: $124,122 Year 3: $129,702 Education, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $105,213 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,539 Year 2: $78,719 Year 3: $92,424 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $79,421 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $87,236 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,600 Year 2: $73,446 Year 3: $84,460 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,654 Year 2: $73,035 Year 3: $83,827 Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,542 Year 2: $71,295 Year 3: $81,840 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,943 Year 2: $67,420 Year 3: $76,191 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,476 Year 2: $62,863 Year 3: $76,134 Manufacturing Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $75,733	Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $144,200 Year 2: $138,932 Year 3: $205,343 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $101,262 Year 2: $101,592 Year 3: $118,452 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,177 Year 2: $95,930 Year 3: $115,158 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,455 Year 2: $84,100 Year 3: $103,246 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,923 Year 2: $93,033 Year 3: $99,026 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,057 Year 2: $99,404 Year 3: $96,431 Veterinary Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $83,448 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $93,057 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,643 Year 2: $87,604 Year 3: $92,498 Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,633 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $92,189 Engineering Physics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,606 Year 2: $74,845 Year 3: $90,556

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and Oregon State University (OSU)?

UIUC is a large, public research university known for its strong engineering, computer science, and business programs. It's located in the Midwest, in a classic college town setting. OSU, also a large public research university, excels in areas like agriculture, forestry, and marine sciences. It's situated in the Pacific Northwest, offering access to diverse natural landscapes. UIUC tends to have a slightly higher overall academic ranking, while OSU is particularly strong in its niche areas and offers a unique regional experience.
Which university is better for engineering programs: UIUC or OSU?

UIUC generally has a stronger and more highly ranked engineering program overall. It's consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the nation, offering a wider range of specialized engineering disciplines. OSU has a solid engineering program as well, particularly strong in areas like civil and environmental engineering, but UIUC's program has a broader reputation and more extensive resources.
How do the campus environments compare between UIUC and OSU?

UIUC is located in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, a twin-city environment that is very much a college town. The campus is relatively flat and easily walkable. OSU is located in Corvallis, Oregon, a smaller city in the Willamette Valley. The campus is known for its beautiful green spaces and proximity to outdoor recreational opportunities like hiking and skiing. UIUC offers a more traditional Midwestern college town experience, while OSU provides a Pacific Northwest vibe with greater access to nature.
What is the cost of attendance like at UIUC versus OSU?

Generally, UIUC and OSU have similar tuition costs for in-state students. However, out-of-state tuition at UIUC tends to be slightly higher than at OSU. It's important to check the most current tuition and fees on each university's website, as these can change annually. Also, consider the cost of living in Urbana-Champaign versus Corvallis, which can impact the overall cost of attendance.
Which university is better for students interested in agriculture and forestry?

Oregon State University is widely recognized for its exceptional programs in agriculture, forestry, and related fields. It has a long history and strong reputation in these areas, with extensive research facilities and partnerships. While UIUC also has agricultural programs, OSU is the clear leader in these disciplines.
How do the research opportunities compare at UIUC and OSU?

Both UIUC and OSU are major research universities with ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. UIUC has a larger overall research budget and a broader range of research areas, particularly in engineering, computer science, and the sciences. OSU has strong research programs in areas like agriculture, forestry, marine sciences, and environmental studies. The best choice depends on your specific research interests.
What are the student demographics like at UIUC and OSU?

UIUC has a larger student body overall, with a significant proportion of international students. OSU also has a diverse student population, but with a stronger representation of students from the Pacific Northwest region. Both universities attract students from across the United States and around the world, creating diverse learning environments.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both UIUC and OSU offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. UIUC's location and strong alumni network in the Midwest provide access to a wide range of internship and job opportunities, particularly in engineering, technology, and business. OSU's location in the Pacific Northwest offers opportunities in industries like agriculture, forestry, technology, and outdoor recreation. The best choice depends on your career goals and desired location.
What is the social scene like at UIUC versus OSU?

UIUC has a vibrant social scene with a large Greek life presence, numerous student organizations, and a lively downtown area with restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. OSU also has a strong sense of community, with a focus on outdoor activities, campus events, and a more laid-back atmosphere. UIUC offers a more traditional, large-university social experience, while OSU provides a more outdoorsy and community-oriented environment.
Which university is better for computer science?

UIUC is generally considered to have a stronger and more prestigious computer science program than OSU. It consistently ranks among the top computer science programs in the nation and offers a wide range of specializations and research opportunities. While OSU has a good computer science program, UIUC's program has a broader reputation and more extensive resources in this field.

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