Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Champaign, Illinois |
| Online | illinois.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign spans two adjacent cities in east-central Illinois, approximately 140 miles south of Chicago. The main campus encompasses 1,783 acres featuring both historic quad areas with traditional collegiate Gothic architecture and modern research facilities, including one of the largest public university library systems in the United States. Founded in 1867 as a land-grant institution, UIUC maintains selective undergraduate admission standards and is recognized for its engineering, computer science, and business programs, with particular strength in areas such as electrical engineering and computer science. The university operates as a primarily residential campus with most first-year students required to live in university housing, while its NCAA Division I athletic programs compete in the Big Ten Conference, with a notable tradition in men's basketball and football. The campus is also home to the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, which developed the first graphical web browser.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Illinois is rated within the top 23% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#120 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#21 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Colleges in Illinois
#1 in Best Public Colleges in Illinois
#64 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Value Colleges in Illinois
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1270/1510 |
| ACT | 29/34 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.79 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 5, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Illinois Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $3,292 |
| Room and Board | $13,938 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,500 |
| Total One Year Cost | $33,642 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $3,292 |
| Room and Board | $13,938 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,500 |
| Total One Year Cost | $52,138 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 16% |
| Business | 13% |
| Social Sciences | 10% |
| Communication | 8% |
| Psychology | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Illinois are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=145637 IPEDS survey data for University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
Current students may use the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025