University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Illinois)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has "an amazing reputation and strong programs in many different majors," including notable programs in business and engineering. One student chose U of I for "the breadth of the engineering program and the opportunities associated with it." Students appreciate the variety and quality of academic programs available, with one student saying, "[I knew] that if I needed to change majors (which I ended up doing), I would still be getting a great degree." No matter your major, there are "a lot of resources to supplement your studies." These include a "fantastic library system," "phenomenal advisors," and "countless on-campus resources such as the Career Center, Writers Workshop, Office of Minority Student Affairs, free tutoring services, and the Study Abroad Office." Moreover, the university boasts more than 175 research centers and institutes, which are "such a benefit for research projects" and one reason why "the research support is phenomenal on campus." The "very approachable" faculty emphasizes hands-on experience and applied learning in their classes. One student shares, "The fieldwork (tons of fieldwork) that they make us do really helped in getting used to the field." These "wonderful" professors are "not just good at research but also instructing and mentoring." As one student points out, "As an underclassman, many classes I've taken have been with very large classes," but "the professors are engaging and know how to keep a class of 700-plus entertained." Getting admitted to U of I is no small feat; as one student says, "It obviously takes a lot to get into this school." However, the hard work pays off, as the university reports that 90 percent of graduates are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.

While the size of the university can seem daunting at first, "there are so many opportunities to get involved on the floor of your residence hall, in organizations, [and] in your classes, that it's hard not to make friends and close relationships." The reasonable in-state tuition attracts a lot of students from Illinois, so "a majority of the students that you meet here will be from the Chicago suburbs." However, you'll also find "a wide variety of students from all across the world." One student says, "University of Illinois houses so many different types of students that the only way we are alike is our dedication to getting an education and our loyalty to UIUC." Most students value these differences: "The diversity of the students here is astounding. Race, religion, major, you've got it all."

U of I has an "incredibly lively" campus with "thousands of clubs, two gyms and several sports facilities, and [an] array of establishments to explore on Green Street." The university also has "one of the largest Greek communities in the country," with more than 60 residential Greek houses. Students note that while "people here like to party...there are a lot of other fun things to do." According to some students, "the bars in downtown Champaign are great and super relaxed, plus there is an awesome music scene that most people don't expect from a college town." Arts and culture thrive here, and many enjoy "going to the Krannert Center to see plays or concerts" at one of the center's four theaters or even just going to "movie theater and mall...on Saturday afternoons. ChampaignUrbana seems small to city kids, but to me, it's the land of opportunity." Life at U of I "is busy, but rewarding," and these students wouldn't have it any other way.

The typical University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate has a starting salary of around $64,200, and 47 percent report that their job has a great deal of meaning. Students feel that “you can’t get any better alumni networking and leadership opportunities than you do at UIUC.” Many students feel that “there are a lot of UIUC alumni in agencies” that they want to work for. Students applaud “the availability of highly regarded finance internships and full-time opportunities.” The Career Center at Illinois offers multiple job fairs for several different sorts of careers and majors as well as other excellent resources like the job board I-Link and drop-in career counseling.