University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

44.8%Acceptance

$16,004Tuition

34,623Students

85%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$81,054Earnings

#1 in IllinoisPublic4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalResearch UniversityNCAA Division IStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign produces some of the best engineers and computer scientists in the country. With 34,623 students spread across this college town, UIUC has launched careers for YouTube's three founders and Oracle's Larry Ellison. The engineering and computer science programs here compete with MIT and Stanford for top rankings. Film critic Roger Ebert also walked these halls, showing the school's reach beyond tech.

The financial picture looks solid for most families. Students pay an average net price of $15,201 after aid, which drops to just $3,883 for families making under $30,000. Ten years after graduation, the median salary hits $81,054, making that average debt load of $19,500 very manageable. Out-of-state students face steeper costs at $34,501 in tuition, but the career outcomes often justify the investment. About 24% of students receive Pell Grants, keeping the school accessible to working-class families.

The student body reflects the school's tech reputation, with nearly 23% Asian students and strong representation from Illinois (75% in-state). The 94% retention rate shows students stick around once they arrive. As a Big Ten school, the Fighting Illini compete in major college sports, though the real action happens in the computer labs and engineering buildings where future tech leaders get their start.

Academics & Faculty

This is a research university most famous for its engineering and computer science programs, which consistently rank in the top 10 nationally and have produced YouTube's founders and Oracle's Larry Ellison. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means larger lecture classes are common, especially for introductory courses, but students get access to modern research opportunities that smaller schools can't offer. The 84.9% six-year graduation rate shows most students succeed despite the academic rigor. Beyond engineering, the business school and agricultural programs are also well-regarded. Students here tend to be driven and comfortable in competitive environments where professors are often more focused on research than teaching.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Full-Time Faculty: 72.9%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 84.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 84.9%
Retention Rate: 94.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $81,054
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral University (R1)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Computer Science.	Master	$138,932
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.	Doctoral	$134,287
Mathematics and Computer Science.	Bachelor	$103,078
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.	Master	$103,078
Computer Science.	Bachelor	$101,592
Taxation.	Master	$99,404
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Master	$95,930
Human Resources Management and Services.	Master	$93,033
Mechanical Engineering.	Master	$87,604
Computer Engineering.	Bachelor	$84,100

View all 301 programs →

Campus Life

The twin cities of Champaign-Urbana sit about 140 miles south of Chicago, surrounded by Illinois farmland that turns the campus into a wind tunnel during brutal Midwestern winters. You'll need a heavy coat from November through March. With housing capacity at 15,766 beds for 34,623 students, about 45% of undergrads live on campus, creating a college town atmosphere where students bike everywhere and Greek life dominates social scenes.

Weekends revolve around Fighting Illini sports, especially football and basketball games that pack Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center. The Quad becomes the heart of campus life, hosting everything from impromptu frisbee games to massive block parties during Unofficial St. Patrick's Day, a student-created celebration that draws thousands. Engineering students often spend weekends in labs or at hackathons, while business majors hit the bars on Green Street. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means large lecture halls are common, but the university's research focus creates opportunities to work directly with professors on projects that matter.

Setting: City-Small
Housing Capacity: 15,766 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available

Campus Safety (2023)

428 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Stalking	116	24	2	0
Domestic Violence	48	25	2	3
Motor Vehicle Theft	65	0	5	5
Rape	19	17	5	1
Burglary	16	7	17	0
Aggravated Assault	13	2	7	3
Fondling	13	4	0	0
Arson	4	2	0	0
Robbery	1	0	1	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 16°–32°F
July Avg: 64°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 41.4"
Annual Snowfall: 23.2"

Student Demographics

The student body reflects Illinois's role as the state's top public research university. With 75% of students coming from Illinois, the school maintains strong ties to local communities while drawing talented students from across the Midwest. The 53% male enrollment mirrors the university's engineering and computer science reputation, programs that have historically attracted more men. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the school serves middle-class Illinois families alongside higher-income students. The 23% Asian student population, well above national averages, speaks to the university's strength in technical fields that attract students from diverse backgrounds seeking rigorous STEM education.

Men: 52.7%
Women: 47.4%
White: 38.7%
Black: 5.6%
Hispanic: 13.9%
Asian: 23.0%
In-State Students: 74.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 23.8%

Location

The University of Illinois sits in Champaign, Illinois, about 140 miles south of Chicago and 180 miles northeast of St. Louis. This classic college town of 88,000 people revolves around the university, with State Street serving as the main strip connecting campus to downtown. The surrounding area is flat farmland typical of central Illinois, but the twin cities of Champaign-Urbana create a bubble of college energy in the prairie. With 34,623 students making up nearly 40% of the local population, everything from restaurants to housing caters to college life. The campus itself spans over 1,700 acres and feels like its own small city. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with similar schools in the region.

Address: Champaign, Illinois 61820-5711

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $81,054
Median Earnings (5 years): $78,662
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $52,300
Loan Repayment Rate: 78.9%
Monthly Loan Payment: $207/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $19,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

UIUC admits 44.82% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a top public research university. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1320-1510 on the SAT, reflecting the strong academic caliber of the engineering and computer science programs that dominate the campus reputation.

How much does University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $15,201 after aid, though this varies dramatically by income level. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,883 on average, while those from higher-income families pay closer to the full cost.

What is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign known for academically?

UIUC is well-known for its top-ranked engineering and computer science programs, which have produced notable tech innovators including YouTube's founders and Oracle's Larry Ellison. With 34,623 students and a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, it balances research excellence with substantial undergraduate enrollment.

What do University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn after college?

Graduates earn a median of $81,054 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the strong job prospects from the university's engineering and tech programs. The employment rate reaches 95.2%, and graduates typically carry manageable debt loads with a median of $19,500.

Where do University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students live and study?

The campus can house 15,766 students in residence halls, serving a student body that is 74.72% from Illinois. Located in the twin cities of Champaign-Urbana, the university creates a classic college town atmosphere centered around the Fighting Illini's Big Ten athletics.

How diverse is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's student body?

Asian students make up 22.97% of enrollment, reflecting the strong draw of the engineering programs, while the campus is 38.73% white and 13.88% Hispanic. The gender split is fairly even at 52.65% men and 47.35% women, typical for a research university with significant STEM programs.