2013 CIRP Freshman Survey

Main Content

Published November 2014

Like their counterparts nationally, University of Illinois students were influenced by the economy and have concerns about the affordability of a university education. Over half of UI freshmen (55.4%) expect their families to spend $10,000 or more compared to their counterparts nationally (34.8%). UI students are also relying more heavily on large loans (19.6%) than other students nationally (10.7%) to pay for college expenses. Almost 70% of UI freshmen reported that the economy influenced their college choice compared to 68% of their peers nationally.

The current economic situation significantly affected my college choice.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • 24.8% – Agree strongly
  • 44.3% – Agree somewhat

Public Universities Nationally

  • 26.6% – Agree strongly
  • 41.5% – Agree somewhat
Infographic showing how students at UIUC and nationally described how the current economic situation affected their college choice.

Do you have any concern about your ability to finance your college education?

UIUC

  • 18% – Major (not sure I will have enough funds to complete college)
  • 55.3% – Some (but I probably will have enough funds)

Nationally

  • 12.4% – Major (not sure I will have enough funds to complete college)
  • 54.7% – Some (but I probably will have enough funds)
Infographic showing how students at UIUC and nationally described their concerns about being able to fund their college education.

How much of your first year's educational expenses do you expect to cover from family resources?

$10,000 or more

  • 55.4% – UIUC
  • 34.8% – Nationally

How much of your first year's educational expenses do you expect to cover from aid which need not be repaid?

$10,000 or more

  • 20.3% – UIUC
  • 23.6% – Nationally

How much of your first year's educational expenses do you expect to cover from aid which must be repaid?

$10,000 or more

  • 19.6% – UIUC
  • 10.7% – Nationally
Infographic showing how students at UIUC and nationally plan to cover their first year's educational expenses.

What are the chances you'll get a job to help pay for college expenses?

UIUC

  • 49.9% – Very good chance
  • 33.4% – Some chance

Nationally

  • 50.1% – Very good chance
  • 32.8% – Some chance
Infographic showing the chances that students at UIUC and nationally will get a job to help pay for college expenses.

What are the chances you'll work full-time while attending college?

UIUC

  • 5% – Very good chance
  • 20.8% – Some chance

Nationally

  • 7.3% – Very good chance
  • 23.4% – Some chance
Infographic showing the chances that students at UIUC and nationally will work full-time while attending college.

More UI freshmen plan on obtaining a degree beyond their bachelor's. 45.3% of UI freshmen plan on obtaining a master's degree and 23.9% plan on a doctorate degree. In comparison, nationally 40.8% of freshmen plan on obtaining a master's degree and 20% a doctorate.

Is this college your top choice and were you accepted by your first choice?

  • 63% – Accepted by first choice college
  • 52% – UIUC was first choice
  • 25% – UIUC was second choice
Infographic showing if this college was students' top choice and if they were accepted by their first choice.

For over 75% of UI freshmen, the University of Illinois was either their first or second college choice.

Number of college applications submitted by freshmen at UIUC and nationally.

UIUC

  • 5.1% – Only 1 application submitted
  • 56.8% – 1-5 applications submitted
  • 20.2% – 7-10 applications submitted

Nationally

  • 11.6% – Only 1 application submitted
  • 58.1% – 1-5 applications submitted
  • 17.5% – 7-10 applications submitted
Infographic showing the number of applications submitted by freshmen at UIUC and nationally.

A small percentage (5.1%) of UI freshmen only applied to Illinois in comparison to nationally (11.6%). Over half (56.8%) of UI freshmen applied to 1-5 colleges; which is closer to the national average of 58.1%. A little over 20% of UI freshmen applied to 7-10 schools; which is higher than the national average of 17.5%.

Top