Head-to-head · 2026
John Wood Community College vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Side-by-side ROI breakdown. 2 wins for John Wood Community College, 3 for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has more metric-level advantages.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric, winner flagged
9 metrics, side by side. The colored cell wins. Green = lower-is-better wins, indigo = higher-is-better wins.
| Metric | John Wood Community College | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 13.70 | 14.12 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $7,050 ✓ | $14,355 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $38,631 | $81,054 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 42.4% |
| Graduation rate | 48.9% | 85.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $8,029 ✓ | $19,500 |
| Enrollment | 1,371 | 36,258 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1440 |
| Wins | 2 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign costs $7,305 more per year than John Wood Community College ($14,355 vs $7,050). University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates report $42,423 higher median earnings after ten years ($81,054 vs $38,631). On EduGradify's model that puts University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ahead on projected ROI (14.12 vs 13.70, exceptional investment).
The pricier option (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) still wins on return, because stronger graduate salaries outweigh its higher net price. On admissions, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports 42.4% acceptance; John Wood Community College does not report a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data.
Frequently asked
John Wood Community College vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is John Wood Community College or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign the better value?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the higher EduGradify ROI score (14.12 vs 13.70), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
John Wood Community College is cheaper — average net price $7,050 per year vs $14,355 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The annual difference of $7,305 adds up to about $29,220 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $81,054 vs $38,631 at John Wood Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $42,423.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. John Wood Community College reports a A value grade; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports A.