University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Overview

Acronyms: U. of I.

Founded: 1867

Control Type: Public

Entity Type: Non-profit

World Rank: #90

Rank in United States: #24

Motto: Learning and Labor

Colours: Orange and navy blue

1 / 4

Established in 1867, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Champaign (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Illinois.

This institution also has a branch campus in Chicago and Springfield. Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U.

of I.) is a very large-sized coeducational US higher education institution. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U.

of I.) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 157-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 50-59% making this US higher education organization an averagely selective institution.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. U.

of I. also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Find University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on the map and reach the right office through the contact channels listed below. Use these for general enquiries; specific departments often run their own contact pages.

Academic Details

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's scale, faculty balance, and academic recognition. Staff-with-doctorate share often signals research culture more reliably than headline research output figures.

Academic Structures

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's internal academic units — faculties, schools, and institutes — are grouped below. The breakdown helps when navigating departmental websites and specific contact points.

Programs Offered

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's catalogue, searchable by name and grouped by level. Joint programmes with partner institutions appear here but carry dual-credentialing rules worth checking with both bodies.

How to apply to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Below is a five-step path through the application process at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, useful for first-time applicants and international students.

1. 1
   Research programmes at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

   University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's catalogue includes 318 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

2. 2
   Review admissions criteria

   Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's admissions process.

3. 3
   Gather supporting documents

   Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

4. 4
   Lodge your application

   Submit your completed application through University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's official website at illinois.edu. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.

5. 5
   Confirm receipt and track progress

   Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (217) 333 1000. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A short Q&A covering University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's essentials — founding, location, scale, ranking, and academic structure.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United States

Research output among the United States's top universities sets the publication-and-citation upper bound. Comparing University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's research output to this benchmark gives a fair institutional read.

Harvard University

Cambridge · Private · Rank #1

Stanford University

Stanford · Private · Rank #8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore · Private · Rank #13

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge · Private · Rank #16

University of Washington

Seattle · Public · Rank #19

Members of Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)

Membership criteria for Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) signal what the network values — research output, teaching quality, internationalisation, or institutional governance. Knowing the criteria helps interpret what membership means.

University of Toronto

Toronto · Public · Rank #14

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley · Public · Rank #41

University of Chicago

Chicago · Private · Rank #53

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill · Public · Rank #60

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis · Public · Rank #70

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Geographic neighbours to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign appear below — each worth considering if location is part of your decision. Nearby institutions tend to share academic calendars, making cross-applications less complex.

Adler University

Chicago · Private · Rank #32

Northwestern University

Evanston · Private · Rank #63

University of Rochester

Rochester · Private · Rank #200

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago · Public · Rank #225

TO

Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago

Chicago · Private · Rank #245

Where Else to Study Agriculture

Universities in the United States with strong Agriculture provision give natural alternatives to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Specialism strengths vary by institution and often correlate with faculty research interests and industry partnerships.

Cornell University

Ithaca · Private · Rank #25

New York University

New York City · Private · Rank #49

University of Florida

Gainesville · Public · Rank #71

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison · Public · Rank #75

University of California, Davis

Davis · Public · Rank #83

Universities Often Compared with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Peer universities to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign by academic scale and prestige are listed below. These often share comparable faculty depth, research output, and graduate outcomes, making the comparison more meaningful than ranking alone.

Washington University in St. Louis

St. Louis · Private · Rank #89

HA

Harvard–MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology

Cambridge · Rank #92

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Public · Rank #93

Emory University

Atlanta · Private · Rank #94

Penn State University

University Park · Public · Rank #86