University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) vs University of Memphis (UofM)

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two esteemed institutions: the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and the University of Memphis (UofM). While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they each possess unique characteristics that may influence your educational journey. UIC, nestled in the vibrant heart of Chicago, boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a diverse student body from various backgrounds. UofM, situated in the dynamic city of Memphis, offers a more selective admissions process, resulting in a smaller student population. Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details regarding acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which university aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, setting the stage for an enriching and transformative college experience.

	University of Illinois Chicago	University of Memphis
Overview
Location	Chicago, Illinois	Memphis, Tennessee
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
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%	72.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	78.8%	95.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $25 Graduate: $35
SAT range	1080 - 1310	N/A
ACT range	23 - 31	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	32.0%
Students submitting ACT score	8.0%
Total number of applicants	22,791	14,916
Total number of admissions given out	17,960	14,201
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,177	2,593
Yield rate	23.3%	18.3%
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: $26,429 Out of state: $30,461
Average net price	$10,725	$14,251
Tuition	In state: $10,776 Out of state: $25,126	In state: $8,352 Out of state: $12,384
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,436 Meal plan: $4,677	Room/dormitory: $6,020 Meal plan: $4,414
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	75.0% Average amount $13,420	95.0% Average amount $9,642
Students receiving federal student loan	20.0% Average amount $4,778	43.0% Average amount $4,996
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $17,230	2.0% Average amount $12,990

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	22,279 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%	16,702 Men 39.4% Women 60.6%
Graduate students	11,920 Men 39.9% Women 60.1%	4,920 Men 38.6% Women 61.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	6.3%	17.9%
International students	11.4%	4.2%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,824	2,683
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	Tennessee Mississippi Arkansas Illinois Missouri

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Education	Health Professions Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Business Education Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	62.3%	54.4%
Dropout rate	35.0%	27.8%
Transferred out	N/A	14.4%
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	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,183 Year 2: $90,482 Year 3: $93,053 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,578 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $83,771 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,569 Year 2: $73,446 Year 3: $81,572 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,053 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $72,912 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,497 Year 2: $60,623 Year 3: $71,690 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,138 Year 2: $63,749 Year 3: $68,655 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,294 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $68,033 Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,203 Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $64,943 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,998 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $62,591 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $50,920 Year 2: $51,035 Year 3: $61,841

Frequently Asked Questions

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

UIC is a large, public research university located in the heart of Chicago, Illinois, offering a diverse urban experience. It's known for its strong programs in health sciences, architecture, and urban planning. The University of Memphis, also a public research university, is situated in Memphis, Tennessee, and is recognized for its programs in music (especially blues and jazz), law, and business. UIC generally has a higher cost of attendance and a more competitive admissions process compared to UofM.
Which university is located in a more urban environment?

UIC is definitively located in a more urban environment. Being in Chicago, students have access to a vast array of cultural attractions, professional opportunities, and a vibrant city life. The University of Memphis, while located in a city, offers a more campus-centered experience with easier access to green spaces and a slightly less intense urban atmosphere.
How do the tuition costs compare between UIC and UofM?

Generally, UIC has a higher tuition cost than the University of Memphis, especially for out-of-state students. However, tuition rates can vary depending on the specific program and residency status. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information.
Which university is known for its strengths in health sciences?

UIC is particularly well-regarded for its health sciences programs. It has a comprehensive medical center and offers a wide range of programs in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. While UofM also offers health-related programs, UIC's offerings and reputation in this area are generally stronger.
What are the notable academic programs at the University of Memphis?

The University of Memphis is known for its strong programs in music, particularly blues and jazz studies. It also has reputable programs in law, business, and education. Their FedEx Institute of Technology is also a notable research center.
How does the student body size compare between UIC and UofM?

UIC and UofM have comparable student body sizes. Both are large universities with a diverse student population, but UIC tends to have a slightly larger overall enrollment.
What kind of campus life can I expect at UIC versus UofM?

At UIC, you can expect a more integrated urban campus life, with students actively engaging with the city of Chicago. There are numerous student organizations and activities, but the campus is spread throughout the city. At UofM, campus life is more centralized, with a greater emphasis on traditional campus activities and a stronger sense of community within the university grounds. Both offer a variety of clubs, sports, and cultural events.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both UIC and UofM are research universities, but UIC generally has a higher research expenditure and a stronger emphasis on research across a wider range of disciplines. UIC's location in a major metropolitan area also provides more opportunities for research collaborations and partnerships.
How do the admission requirements compare between UIC and UofM?

UIC generally has more competitive admission requirements than the University of Memphis. This means that UIC typically requires higher standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) and a stronger academic record. However, admission requirements can vary depending on the specific program you are applying to, so it's essential to check the individual program requirements on each university's website.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from UIC versus UofM?

Graduates from UIC benefit from the university's location in Chicago, a major economic hub, which provides access to a wide range of career opportunities in various industries. Graduates from UofM have strong career prospects in the Memphis area and the surrounding region, particularly in fields related to logistics, healthcare, and business. The specific career opportunities available will depend on your chosen field of study.
Does either university have a strong focus on a particular sport?

While both universities offer a range of athletic programs, the University of Memphis is particularly known for its men's basketball program. UIC also has a variety of sports programs, but doesn't have the same national recognition in a single sport as UofM basketball.
What resources are available for international students at UIC and UofM?

Both UIC and UofM offer a range of resources for international students, including visa assistance, language support, and cultural orientation programs. They both have dedicated international student services offices that provide support and guidance throughout the academic journey. Check their respective websites for specific details on the services offered.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.