Illinois vs Illinois Chicago: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Illinois Chicago runs $4,479 less per year out of state; Illinois graduates 25 points more of its students.
Which one is right for you?
Neither school is better in the abstract — they are better for different athletes. These are the differences big enough to actually decide on.
Lean Illinois if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Illinois graduates 25 percentage points more of its students than Illinois Chicago.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Illinois against none listed at Illinois Chicago.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Illinois rates strong against solid at Illinois Chicago.
Lean Illinois Chicago if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Illinois Chicago lists $4,479 less per year in tuition and housing than Illinois.
- You would be in-state: Illinois Chicago is $1,666 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Illinois.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: Illinois Chicago rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Illinois.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price from IPEDS. Almost nobody pays it — athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off the top — but the gap between two schools is a fair read on the gap between two offers.
| Measure | Illinois | Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $16,004 | $14,338 — Illinois Chicago leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $34,501 | $29,360 — Illinois Chicago leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $13,938 — Illinois leads on this measure: lower room & board | $14,600 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $29,942 | $28,938 — Illinois Chicago leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $48,439 | $43,960 — Illinois Chicago leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost |
What you leave with
Federal College Scorecard figures for all students at the institution, not softball players specifically. Read them as a signal about the degree, not about the program.
| Measure | Illinois | Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 85% — Illinois leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 60% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | — | $68,740/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | — | $16,704 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | — | 24% |
Getting in, and what you'd walk into
Admissions and size. A coach can support your file, but at most schools they cannot admit you — the academic profile below is the bar you still have to clear.
| Measure | Illinois | Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | — | 77% |
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | #35 | — |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 56,563 | 33,522 |
| Where it is | Champaign, IL | Chicago, IL |
The softball program itself
Division and conference set the ceiling; the postseason record and staff tell you what the program has actually done with it.
| Measure | Illinois | Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Big Ten | Missouri Valley |
| Conference level | Power Conference | High Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | 1 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Jenna Hall | Megan Coronado |
| In the job since | 2020 | — |
How you actually get in front of them
Camps and questionnaires are the two channels a recruit controls. Where a program runs its own camp, that camp is usually the shortest path to being evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
| Measure | Illinois | Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | — |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division I, so the scholarship rules are identical: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. A program's own camp is where its staff does most of its evaluating — submit the questionnaire first so they know to look for you.
Illinois Chicago
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Illinois vs Illinois Chicago: common questions
- Is Illinois or Illinois Chicago cheaper?
- On published price, Illinois Chicago is cheaper — about $43,960 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $48,439 at Illinois. That is sticker price; athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off it, so ask both coaches what an actual offer would look like.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Illinois or Illinois Chicago?
- Illinois, at 85% against 60% at Illinois Chicago (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Illinois and Illinois Chicago offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division I: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- Illinois rates very competitive against competitive at Illinois Chicago. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Illinois and Illinois Chicago run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Illinois and none currently listed at Illinois Chicago. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Illinois and Illinois Chicago?
- Illinois runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Illinois Chicago, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-24). Earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard. Postseason results from the NCAA Division I softball tournament records, 2021-2026. Rankings from NCAA.com and U.S. News & World Report. Figures describe the institution, not the softball roster.
We work hard to keep all data for Illinois and Illinois Chicago accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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