U of U vs University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two esteemed institutions: the University of Utah and the University of Illinois Chicago. Both universities offer a wealth of opportunities, yet they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your academic journey. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover the nuances that set these institutions apart. Discover the differences in acceptance rates, tuition fees, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Whether you thrive in a bustling urban setting or prefer the charm of a college town, this side-by-side analysis will guide you towards the university that best aligns with your aspirations and goals.

	University of Illinois Chicago	University of Utah
Overview
Location	Chicago, Illinois	Salt Lake City, Utah
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	81.0%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	78.8%	95.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $55
SAT range	1080 - 1310	1180 - 1390
ACT range	23 - 31	22 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	32.0%	13.0%
Students submitting ACT score	8.0%	54.0%
Total number of applicants	22,791	18,302
Total number of admissions given out	17,960	17,381
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,177	5,361
Yield rate	23.3%	30.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,176 Out of state: $45,526	In state: $26,579 Out of state: $46,031
Average net price	$10,725	$12,972
Tuition	In state: $10,776 Out of state: $25,126	In state: $7,749 Out of state: $27,201
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,436 Meal plan: $4,677	Room/dormitory: $5,997 Meal plan: $4,665
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	75.0% Average amount $13,420	86.0% Average amount $9,431
Students receiving federal student loan	20.0% Average amount $4,778	19.0% Average amount $7,729
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $17,230	4.0% Average amount $19,449

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	22,279 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%	25,826 Men 51.8% Women 48.2%
Graduate students	11,920 Men 39.9% Women 60.1%	8,638 Men 49.9% Women 50.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	6.3%	39.6%
International students	11.4%	8.5%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	3,824	6,250
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Illinois California Indiana Wisconsin Michigan	Utah California Colorado Idaho Washington

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Education	Business Health Professions Social Sciences Engineering Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	62.3%	67.2%
Dropout rate	35.0%	25.0%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,152 Year 2: $111,220 Year 3: $124,034 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $108,092 Year 3: $115,765 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $97,991 Year 2: $101,278 Year 3: $108,049 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,216 Year 2: $94,021 Year 3: $100,439 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,284 Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: $96,488 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,258 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $93,942 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,271 Year 2: $80,189 Year 3: $92,984 Psychology, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $52,905 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $85,772 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,060 Year 2: $68,153 Year 3: $80,429 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,975 Year 2: $70,610 Year 3: $78,062	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $93,022 Year 2: $104,192 Year 3: $126,415 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,759 Year 2: $98,213 Year 3: $112,201 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $96,943 Year 2: $100,213 Year 3: $111,490 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,996 Year 2: $76,998 Year 3: $93,342 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,226 Year 2: $74,307 Year 3: $88,739 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,036 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $84,431 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,451 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $81,580 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $65,753 Year 2: $60,689 Year 3: $75,773 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,225 Year 2: $65,894 Year 3: $73,917 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,458 Year 2: $54,035 Year 3: $72,228

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Utah and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)?

The University of Utah (U of U) is a large, public research university located in Salt Lake City, Utah, known for its strong programs in engineering, medicine, and computer science, and its proximity to outdoor recreational opportunities. The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is also a large, public research university, but it's located in the heart of Chicago, Illinois. UIC is recognized for its diverse student body, strong health sciences programs, and urban focus, offering a different cultural and professional environment.
Which university is more affordable: University of Utah or University of Illinois Chicago?

Generally, the University of Utah is more affordable for in-state students compared to UIC for in-state students. However, for out-of-state students, tuition costs can be comparable, though this can vary depending on specific programs and financial aid packages. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information and to explore available scholarships and financial aid options.
How do the academic reputations of the University of Utah and UIC compare?

Both the University of Utah and UIC are respected research universities. The University of Utah is particularly well-regarded for its engineering, computer science, and medical programs, often ranking highly in these fields. UIC has a strong reputation in health sciences, urban planning, and architecture, and is known for its commitment to research and innovation in these areas. Both institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
What is campus life like at the University of Utah versus UIC?

The University of Utah offers a more traditional campus experience with a focus on outdoor activities due to its location near the mountains. There's a strong sense of community, with many opportunities for students to get involved in clubs, sports, and outdoor adventures. UIC, being located in a major city, offers a more urban campus experience. Students have access to the cultural and professional opportunities of Chicago, and campus life is vibrant with diverse student organizations and events reflecting the city's diversity.
Which university is better for students interested in outdoor recreation?

The University of Utah is significantly better for students interested in outdoor recreation. Its location in Salt Lake City provides easy access to mountains for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and climbing. UIC, while located in a vibrant city, does not offer the same level of immediate access to outdoor recreational opportunities.
How does the diversity of the student body compare between the University of Utah and UIC?

UIC generally has a more diverse student body compared to the University of Utah. UIC is known for its commitment to serving a diverse population and reflects the multicultural makeup of Chicago. While the University of Utah is working to increase diversity on its campus, it is located in a less diverse state overall.
What career opportunities are available to graduates of the University of Utah and UIC?

Both universities offer strong career prospects for their graduates. The University of Utah benefits from the growing tech industry in Salt Lake City and strong connections to companies in the region. UIC benefits from its location in Chicago, a major business hub, providing access to a wide range of industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology. Both universities have career services to help students find internships and jobs.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both the University of Utah and UIC are Carnegie R1 research universities, indicating a very high level of research activity. They both attract significant research funding and have faculty actively engaged in cutting-edge research across various disciplines. The specific research strengths may vary, with the University of Utah having a strong focus on areas like genetics and engineering, while UIC excels in areas like public health and urban studies.
How do the campus sizes and environments differ?

The University of Utah has a larger campus in terms of acreage, offering a more traditional campus feel with green spaces and a distinct separation from the city. UIC's campus is more integrated into the urban environment of Chicago, with buildings spread throughout the city and a more compact footprint. This gives UIC a more urban and integrated feel.
What are the graduation rates like at the University of Utah and UIC?

Graduation rates can vary depending on the specific program and student demographics. Generally, the University of Utah tends to have a slightly higher graduation rate than UIC. However, it's important to consider that UIC serves a more diverse student population, which can impact graduation rates. You should consult the official university websites for the most current graduation rate data.

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