School Location:

CHAMPAIGN, IL

School Type:

PUBLIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITY

How difficult is it to get into UIUC?

UIUC accepts a large number of applicants from in- and out-of-state annually, making it a match or safety school for most students! Of the 67,398 students who applied to join UIUCs Class of 2027, 29,446 were admitted, yielding an acceptance rate of 43.69%. The in-state acceptance rate was slightly higher than the out-of-state acceptance rate, at 56.2% and 35.9%, respectively. The 25th-75th percentile composite SAT score was a 1350-1510, and a 30-34 for the ACT. UIUC admissions considers rigor of high school coursework and GPA to be very important in the admissions process, while essays, extracurricular activities, talent, character, and first-generation college student status are important. Interviews, recommendations, class rank, alumni status, religious affiliation, and applicant interest are not considered in the admissions process.

What is the campus like at UIUC?

The university’s campus straddles the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, 140 miles south of Chicago, 125 miles west of Indianapolis, and 180 miles northeast of St. Louis. The sprawling campus is filled with brick buildings and historic landmarks, centered around a traditional “quad,” bounded by the Illini Union—the student-life hub—to the north and the Foellinger Auditorium—the largest lecture hall on campus—to the south. The campus is also home to the Krannert Art and Spurlock museums; the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the Siebel Center for Design, a cross-disciplinary hub for design-based learning, the Business Instructional Facility (BIF), and numerous libraries and recreational centers. 120 companies employ over 800 student interns in Research Park on the south end of campus, and UIUC’s South Farms are made up of over 1,000 acres of land, which the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) utilizes for its research initiatives. These are just a few of UIUC’s campus features; all students considering applying to UIUC should attend an in-person or virtual campus tour to learn more about the school!

UIUC has 24 undergrad university residence halls that accommodate 8,550 students. First-year students are required to live in residences certified by the University. There are 4 residential communities with several residential halls as well as 10 Living-Learning Communities (LLCs), which offer in-hall courses and specialized programs around a common theme, such as Health Professions LLC, Innovations LLC, and Business LLC.

There are more than 800 registered student clubs and organizations and 21 varsity D1 sports teams. There are 87 total fraternity and sorority organizations, and 30 cultural organizations students can get involved with. Close to 20% of UIUC undergraduate students are part of a fraternity or sorority.

As one of the nation’s leading research institutions, UIUC offers 150+ research centers, laboratories, and institutes to students to make an impact, including: the Cancer Center at Illinois, C3.ai Digital Transformation Institute, and Humanities Without Walls. Whether investigating regulation in pro-inflammatory genes, detecting food allergens using machine learning, or creating virtual reality technology in second-language classrooms, UIUC provides endless opportunities for students to gain hands-on, practice experience to become confident and equipped to lead the next generation in innovation and discovery. Find out more about undergraduate research at UIUC here!

With more than 300 study abroad programs in 75 different countries worldwide, UIUC ensures every student has the opportunity to obtain a global education. Over 2,000 students study abroad every year during their time at UIUC. Students can also participate in virtual global experiences through internships, projects, and global classrooms. Find out more about UIUC’s international opportunities here!
UIUC supports its students with academic advising committed to their success. For undeclared students, the Division of General Studies (DGS) provides students with holistic, developmental academic advising to clarify their goals, identify their strengths, and ultimately decide the right path for them.

What is UIUC known for?

UIUC was ranked as the 12th best public university in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2023-2024. The school is known for its incredibly vast academic offerings and significant research programming, with $731M in total research expenditures (FY21). Academically, the school is ranked 5th in best undergraduate engineering programs and 2nd best undergraduate accounting program by US News and World report. In addition, UIUC is ranked as one of the most “disability friendly” campuses in the U.S. The school was the first to provide students with disabilities access to all university services, curricula, and facilities, designing architectural accessibility standards and instituting a wheelchair-accessible bus system.