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Texas A&M University vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

63.0% Texas A&M acceptance
44.8% UIUC acceptance
$14,164 UIUC cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

Texas A&M
College Station, Texas
Public
Founded
1876
Enrollment
74,829
Setting
Suburban
UIUC
Champaign, Illinois
Public
Founded
1867
Enrollment
56,607
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition UIUC saves $4,019
Texas A&M
$40,087
UIUC
$36,068
Acceptance Rate UIUC more selective
Texas A&M
63.0%
UIUC
44.8%
Graduation Rate UIUC higher
Texas A&M
83%
UIUC
87%
Avg SAT Score UIUC higher
Texas A&M
1290
UIUC
1390
Starting Salary UIUC higher
Texas A&M
$66,300
UIUC
$72,400

Detailed Comparison

Metric Texas A&M UIUC Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$40,087$36,068UIUC
Tuition (In-State)$12,413$16,862Texas A&M
Room & Board$12,938$13,416Texas A&M
Acceptance Rate63.0%44.8%UIUC
Graduation Rate83%87%UIUC
Average SAT12901390UIUC
Student-Faculty Ratio19:120:1Texas A&M
Enrollment74,82956,607-
Avg Financial Aid$13,700$16,470UIUC
Starting Salary$66,300$72,400UIUC
Endowment$17.1B$3.5BTexas A&M
Campus Size5,200 acres1,783 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

Texas A&M
$212,100
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UIUC
$197,936
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: Texas A&M = $157,300 | UIUC = $132,056. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

Texas A&M Top Majors

EngineeringBusinessBiologyAgricultureBiomedical Science

UIUC Top Majors

Computer ScienceEngineeringBusinessBiologyEconomics

Campus & Student Life

Setting
Texas A&MSuburban
UIUCUrban
Campus Size
Texas A&M5,200 ac
UIUC1,783 ac
Athletics
Texas A&MNCAA D1
UIUCNCAA D1
Region
Texas A&MSouth
UIUCMidwest
Founded
Texas A&M1876
UIUC1867
Enrollment
Texas A&M74,829
UIUC56,607

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Texas A&M or UIUC harder to get into?+
UIUC is more selective with an acceptance rate of 44.8% compared to 63.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, Texas A&M or UIUC?+
At sticker price, UIUC costs less over 4 years ($197,936 vs $212,100). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. Texas A&M offers an average of $13,700/year in aid while UIUC offers $16,470/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for Texas A&M and UIUC?+
The average SAT score at Texas A&M is 1290 and at UIUC it is 1390. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do Texas A&M or UIUC graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UIUC have a higher average starting salary ($72,400 vs $66,300). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
Texas A&M has a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UIUC has 20:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do Texas A&M and UIUC compare for campus life?+
Texas A&M is located in College Station, Texas (suburban setting) with a 5,200-acre campus. UIUC is in Champaign, Illinois (urban setting) with 1,783 acres. Texas A&M competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UIUC in NCAA D1.