About Aurora University
The financial picture tells two stories. Students pay an average net price of $18,992 after aid, well below the sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $58,709 ten years after starting college. Most students graduate with manageable debt loads, owing a median of $20,318. The monthly loan payment of $215 remains reasonable given typical graduate salaries.
Women make up 66% of the student body, reflecting the university's strength in nursing and education programs. Hispanic students comprise 42% of enrollment, making Aurora one of the more diverse private colleges in Illinois. The Spartans field 24 Division III teams with 586 student-athletes competing without athletic scholarships. Nearly all graduates find work, with a 97.3% employment rate showing the value of Aurora's career-focused approach.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 23.5%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 59.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 58.3%
- Retention Rate
- 77.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,709
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral/Professional University
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $111,435 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Doctoral | $86,375 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $67,101 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $66,941 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $65,238 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,661 |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education. | Master | $52,464 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $50,439 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $50,105 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $50,105 |
Campus Life
Weekends often see students heading into Chicago for internships or entertainment, though many stick around for Spartans athletics. The school fields 24 varsity teams in Division III, with 586 student-athletes representing nearly 15% of the student body. The suburban Aurora setting provides internship opportunities at nearby hospitals like Rush Copley Medical Center, where many nursing students complete clinical rotations. With 66% of students being women and strong representation from the local Hispanic community at 42%, the campus reflects the changing demographics of the Chicago suburbs. Students frequently balance part-time work with studies, preparing for careers in healthcare and education.
- Setting
- Suburb-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 789 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1893
Campus Safety (2023)
2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dating Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 15°–30°F
- July Avg
- 64°–83°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 37.7"
- Annual Snowfall
- -750.6"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 33.8%
- Women
- 66.2%
- White
- 39.2%
- Black
- 5.9%
- Hispanic
- 42.3%
- Asian
- 3.5%
- In-State Students
- 82.4%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 43.5%
Location
- Address
- Aurora, Illinois 60506-4892
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,709
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $61,808
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $39,200
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 61.9%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $215/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,318
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Aurora University?
Aurora University accepts 81.90% of applicants, making admission relatively accessible for most students. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 980-1198 on the SAT, indicating the school welcomes students with a broad range of academic backgrounds.
How much does Aurora University cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Aurora University is $18,992 after financial aid, lower than the sticker price of $42,660. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $13,980 on average, while 43.45% of students receive Pell Grants for low-income families.
What is Aurora University known for academically?
Aurora University specializes in nursing, education, and business programs with strong ties to local healthcare systems. The student-faculty ratio of 18:1 provides reasonable access to professors, though the school maintains a practical, career-focused approach rather than a traditional liberal arts emphasis.
What are employment outcomes like for Aurora University graduates?
Aurora University graduates have a 97.3% employment rate, reflecting the school's emphasis on career preparation. Ten years after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $58,709, with graduates typically carrying $20,318 in student debt.
Where do most Aurora University students come from?
Aurora University draws 82.43% of its 4,021 students from Illinois, creating a predominantly local student body. The campus serves 789 students in on-campus housing, while the student population is 66.18% women and diverse, with 42.25% Hispanic students.
Does Aurora University offer athletic scholarships?
Aurora University offers $0 in athletic scholarships because it competes in NCAA Division III, where athletic scholarships are prohibited. The school fields 24 varsity sports teams with 586 total athletes competing as the Spartans in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.
