@Gator88NE, it’s more fair to compare tuition costs rather than COA, though. I’ve noticed that, for whatever reason, some schools add several thousand extra on top of tuition+R&B for COA (compared to other schools).
UIUC tuition costs are also frozen for the 4 years that you are there, unlike many other schools.
It is probably more fair to compare net prices after financial aid for various family income levels, using the schools’ net price calculators. Two schools with similar list prices may have very different affordability for a given family income.
@PurpleTitan What happens to the frozen tuition rate if the student takes an extra year to finish the degree? This is rather common in part because so many students work part-time while in school.
I would like to add that a very important part of the budget problem and potential solution at state universities is the issue of administrative bloat. Too many deans, administrative assistants, offices of this and that, programs for this and that. Faculty numbers have shrunk at most state universities – especially full-time faculty – while the colleges’ bureaucracies have grown and grown.
Re: bloated costs
Most students would not want a no frills university which just offers the education and nothing else. For example, intercollegiate sports costs money, but the lack of such seems to be seen as undesirable by most.
@TooOld4School As a voter, you can only do so much. I get to vote for one state senator, and one state representative, not the whole lot. I’m not out there protesting in the streets, but really, there is only so much one can do!
@mackinaw, then it’s at whatever rate applies at that time. Incentive to finish in 4 years.
@Midwest67 I agree, I can only vote for my rep and senator, it’s not like Mike Madigan is up for statewide election.
@BeeDAre that is very interesting, we are a suburban Chicago HS as well, but B- students are not being admitted to UIUC even with high test scores. The Naviance is a sea of denials for almost anything below a 3.5
The two kids I speak of hover around 3.0 - one is .5 below 3.0 - but both got 34 on the ACT.
Both did NOT declare for Engineering or CS.
(I know this info because D and her classmates talked a little with each other about college admissions, and I’d done a lot of research for D, so they asked her to ask me for advice - and my advice was that I didn’t think they’d be admitted but they should go ahead and apply - I was also very surprised, based on what I’d heard, that they were admitted.)
They are also both 1st gen Americans, so that might have something to do with it, but idk.
The student with below a 3.0 is an excellent writer and actually very bright - I’m sure she wrote an outstanding essay - and the reason for her low gpa has much to do with familial circumstances beyond her control.
Idk what the other students’ excuse was for the low gpa.
UIUC admissions difficulty is highly dependent on major as they admit by major.
And yes, they seem to pay attention to demographics details.
Not to mention that a 34 ACT is an extremely high score.
Here are the profiles for UIUC by college. There is a wide variation with COE and COB being difficult to get into.
https://admissions.illinois.edu/Apply/Freshman/profile
Campus
ACT Score: 27-33
SAT Score (no writing): 1340-1480
TOEFL: 102-110
GPA: 3.32-3.88
*SAT score reflects the pre-March 2016 exam. .
College of Agricultural, Consumer, & Environmental Sciences
ACT Score: 25-29
SAT Score (no writing): 1240-1400
TOEFL: 98-107
GPA: 3.22-3.79
College of Applied Health Sciences
ACT Score: 25-30
SAT Score (no writing): 1220-1400
TOEFL: 101-110
GPA: 3.32-3.76
College of Business
ACT Score: 28-32
SAT Score (no writing): 1320-1460
TOEFL: 103-110
GPA: 3.50-3.88
College of Education
ACT Score: 24-29
SAT Score (no writing): 1250-1400
TOEFL: 101-110
GPA: 3.20-3.68
College of Engineering
ACT Score: 31-34
SAT Score (no writing): 1400-1530
TOEFL: 106-113
GPA: 3.68-4.00
College of Fine + Applied Arts
ACT Score: 25-30
SAT Score (no writing): 1220-1380
TOEFL: 96-107
GPA: 3.05-3.67
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
ACT Score: 27-32
SAT Score (no writing): 1350-1470
TOEFL: 103-110
GPA: 3.35-3.86
College of Media
ACT Score: 26-30
SAT Score (no writing): 1210-1390
TOEFL: 101-109
GPA: 3.14-3.68
Division of General Studies
ACT Score: 25-30
SAT Score (no writing): 1320-1420
TOEFL: 100-107
GPA: 3.10-3.65
School of Social Work
ACT Score: 23-27
SAT Score (no writing): Sample size too small to report
TOEFL: 99-105
GPA: 3.08-3.61
We were surprised, and pleased, that our oldest D was accepted into the LAS college at UIUC as an entering junior transfer student from community college. She had a great first year there.
I asked her if any of her professors were vocal about the state budget impasse and cuts, and she said no, not yet. This is in contrast to the (adjunct?) professors at community college who were often sharing with the students how difficult and unsatisfying the job situation was.
I agree. Many colleges and universities are in an arms race for students. Slick marketing materials, resort like facilities in terms of student unions, exercise facilities, dorms, dining halls and libraries and great sports programs. I don’t remember when I first heard the term “college experience” but I do remember my first thought was I have no idea what that is but it sounds expensive. Add to it subsidies (can’t remember the number of times I have heard financial aid officers say “don’t worry about sticker price because no one pays it.”) and it should be no surprise we see sky rocketing costs of college. Same issue exist in healthcare with subsidies (many people act shocked to see what happens to costs there as well) but that is another issue.
Add to all that profs focused on research and publishing and TA teaching classes is a great business model for a large number of institutions. Colleges are big business. Doing quite well from everything I can see.
^ Yep, that’s a good point. All those who consider UIUC tuition too high or think that internationals are taking spots could consider CC for 2 years instead and then a transfer. In fact, UIUC has Engineering Pathways, which guarantees placement in to an Engineering major so long as you maintain your CC GPA.
In the past week, I received two different begging letters from UIC. One was a general one sent to any west campus (Health science) major for money for renovation of the Library of Health Sciences. The other was sent by my college for compounding lab renovations.
I know UIC has some guarantee acceptance programs via some community colleges in the Chicago area. You have to keep a certain GPA and take certain classes. The requirements vary by college.
I believe the highest paid person in the University of Illinois system is a football coach at UIUC. There are also many highly paid physicians at UIC. Some people were trying to make an issue over the number of people making over $100k at UIC. They forget those numbers include the staff at the hospitals and clinics. For them to be competitive and retain people, you have to pay them that type of money. The medical clinics are supposed to be self supporting and assist the medical colleges in the training of their students.
Non-clinical faculty salaries are in line with peer institutions. The $$ issue has really been with underfunded pension plans.
UIUC med school tuition for an OOS student is around $80,000 per year. One of the highest, if not the highest in the country.
You mean UIC not UIUC. UIC has a branch medical campus in Urbana. https://registrar.uic.edu/tuition/professional/professional-tuition-fall-2016-spring-2017.php
UIC has one of the largest medical schools in the country about 300 students per year at 4 different campuses. When it comes to the health care programs, UIC has a policy of soak the OOSers. It is also almost impossible to change state residency status. UIC health care schools are separately funded from regular UIC programs. This was done on purpose to try and get more money for them from the state. The health programs have special state funding.
Governor State is a mediocre college with a 15% graduation rate, and mostly a political-patronage strangled institution with history of corruption and incompetence. An embarrassment in Illinois. Should be closed.
Governor State = Chicago State.
15% (6 year graduation rate)? I had to check!
It’s really a health 19%. How about the 4-year graduation rate? 2% Don’t you have to actively STOP folks from graduating to keep your rate at 2%?
Most popular majors (about 50% of the graduating students) are criminology, psychology, and business.