University

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, Illinois, United States

Verified · last verified 2026-09-02

University details

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public land-grant research university located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, Illinois. It was established in 1867 as a land-grant institution created under the Morrill Act of 1862, with a mission of teaching, research, and public service to provide agricultural, scientific, military, and technical education to the people of the state of Illinois. Its Office of Undergraduate Admissions is located at 901 West Illinois Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801.

Institution type: Public
Campus setting: Urban
Application platforms: Common App
Testing policy: Test optional (2025–2026)
In-state tuition: $16,004
Out-of-state tuition: $35,124
Cost of attendance: Not available (2024–2025)
Undergraduate enrollment: 36,258

Website Admissions Financial aid

Common Data Set

Institution-reported facts by reporting cycle. Missing and withheld values are shown explicitly.

2025–2026 · most recent available

First-year admission rate

36.6%

Calculated from applications and admissions reported in CDS C1. This is a factual calculation, not a CollegePath rating.

Enrollment

Undergraduate enrollment (B1): 38,572 students
Full-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 37,385 students
Part-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 1,187 students

First-year admission

Majors

Accounting and Related Services
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Engineering
Agricultural Business and Management
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
Agricultural Engineering
Engineering
Agricultural Public Services
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
Agriculture, General
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Health Professions and Related Programs
Animal Sciences
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences

Deadlines

Early action · 2026–2027
2026-11-01 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Regular decision · 2026–2027
2027-01-05 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

View deadlines from earlier years

2025–2026

Early action · 2025–2026
2025-11-01 — Non-binding Early Action. Application submission due by 11:59 p.m. CT on November 1; all required items due by November 7. Admission status update by January 30.

Supplemental essays

How many responses?

2–3 major/program-specific responses

Illinois requires two to three approximately 150-word responses depending on major, undeclared status, and second-choice major.

2026–2027

Required · First-year applicants applying to a major
Explain, in detail, an experience you have had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major.
Limit: 150 words — Major-specific prompt; required for the selected major.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/first-year-apply/
Required · First-year applicants applying to a major
Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from Illinois and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.
Limit: 150 words — Major-specific prompt; required for the selected major.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/first-year-apply/

Application requirements

2026–2027

Application fee · Required
Value: $75
First-year application fee.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/first-year-apply/
Fee waiver · Optional
Value: Available
Eligible applicants may have a counselor submit Illinois’s fee-waiver form by the deadline.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/first-year-apply/
Supplemental essays · Required
Value: 2–3 major/program-specific responses
Illinois requires two to three approximately 150-word responses depending on major, undeclared status, and second-choice major.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/first-year-apply/

Sources

Direct sources supporting this university’s facts, with retrieval dates.

Official source · supports supplemental_essays:2026–2027
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/first-year-apply/
Retrieved 2026-09-03 — Official Illinois first-year application essay requirements.
Official source · supports requirements:2026–2027
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/first-year-apply/
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — Official Illinois first-year fee and fee-waiver instructions.
Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid · supports deadlines:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-08-20 — Common App member-reported first-year deadlines; grid updated 2026-08-14.
Official source · supports financial_aid_url
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/invest/financial-aid

First-year applications (C1)

First-year students admitted (C1)

30,384 students

First-year students enrolled (C1)

9,207 students

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 4.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.75-3.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.50-3.74 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.25-3.49 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.00-3.24 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.50-2.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.00-2.49 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 1.00-1.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA below 1.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

Average high-school GPA (C12)

Not reported by institution

The official workbook leaves the GPA distribution and average-GPA response cells blank; GPA percentiles are not a standard CDS field.

Testing

Enrolled students submitting scores · SAT (C9): 42.59%
Enrolled students submitting scores · ACT (C9): 14.07%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 25th percentile (C9): 690 score
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 75th percentile (C9): 750 score
SAT Math · 25th percentile (C9): 700 score
SAT Math · 75th percentile (C9): 790 score
ACT Composite · 25th percentile (C9): 31 score
ACT Composite · 75th percentile (C9): 34 score

Academics and class size

Student-to-faculty ratio (I2): 20:1

Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Retrieved 2026-08-31

Open the official institutional source

Document ID: sha256:9fd806a412276af516571b680b68bbec1319620cd3884540845ca29e59cf9d85 · Import: cds-2026-08-v13

Architectural Sciences and Technology

Architecture and Related Services

Architecture

Architecture and Related Services

Area Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Physical Sciences

Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology

Physical Sciences

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Biology, General

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical/Medical Engineering

Engineering

Biotechnology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Chemical Engineering

Engineering

Chemistry

Physical Sciences

City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning

Architecture and Related Services

Civil Engineering

Engineering

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Cognitive Science

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Communication and Media Studies

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services

Health Professions and Related Programs

Computer and Information Sciences, General

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Computer Engineering

Engineering

Computer Science

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry

Visual and Performing Arts

Dance

Visual and Performing Arts

Data Analytics

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Data Science

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Design and Applied Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services

Health Professions and Related Programs

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

Visual and Performing Arts

Economics

Social Sciences

Education, General

Education

Education, Other

Education

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering

Engineering

Engineering Mechanics

Engineering

Engineering Physics

Engineering

Engineering, General

Engineering

Engineering, Other

Engineering

Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other

Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields

English Language and Literature, General

English Language and Literature/Letters

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Film/Video and Photographic Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Finance and Financial Management Services

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Fine and Studio Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Food Science and Technology

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences

Geography and Cartography

Social Sciences

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Physical Sciences

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General

Health Professions and Related Programs

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

Industrial Engineering

Engineering

Information Science/Studies

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

International/Globalization Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Journalism

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Landscape Architecture

Architecture and Related Services

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Management Information Systems and Services

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Marketing

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Materials Engineering

Engineering

Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics

Mathematics and Computer Science

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering

Music

Visual and Performing Arts

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Natural Resources and Conservation

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Nuclear Engineering

Engineering

Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies

Philosophy

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Physics

Physical Sciences

Plant Sciences

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences

Political Science and Government

Social Sciences

Public Health

Health Professions and Related Programs

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Religion/Religious Studies

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Research and Experimental Psychology

Psychology

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

English Language and Literature/Letters

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Social Work

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

Sociology

Social Sciences

Special Education and Teaching

Education

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies

Statistics

Mathematics and Statistics

Sustainability Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Systems Engineering

Engineering

Systems Science and Theory

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

Education

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

Education

Regular decision · 2025–2026

2026-01-05 — Regular Decision. Application submission due by 11:59 p.m. CT on January 5; all required items due by January 11. Notifications by March 6.

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/dates

Financial aid · 2025–2026

2026-03-15 — FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) priority deadline is March 15.

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/invest/financial-aid

Required · Undeclared first-year applicants

If applying to the Division of Exploratory Studies undeclared program: What are your academic interests? Please include 2–3 majors you are considering at Illinois and why. What are your future career or academic goals?

Limit: 150 words — Undeclared-program prompts vary by application choices.

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/first-year-apply/

Required · First-year applicants selecting a second-choice major

If you selected a second-choice major, please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

Limit: 150 words — Additional major-specific prompt when applicable.

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/first-year-apply/

View supplemental prompts from earlier years

2025–2026

Required · Applicants selecting a declared first-choice major
Explain, in detail, an experience you've had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major.
Limit: 150 words — One of two to three major-specific prompts. "Each response should be approximately 150 words."
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/essays
Required · Applicants who select a second-choice major
Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.
Limit: 150 words — Additional major-specific prompt for applicants who select a second-choice major. "Each response should be approximately 150 words."
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/essays
Required · Applicants selecting a declared first-choice major
Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from Illinois and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.
Limit: 150 words — One of two to three major-specific prompts. "Each response should be approximately 150 words."
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/essays
Required · Applicants to the Undeclared program
What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you're considering at Illinois and why.
Limit: 150 words — One of two to three major-specific prompts. "Each response should be approximately 150 words."
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/essays
Required · Applicants to the Undeclared program
What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.
Limit: 150 words — One of two to three major-specific prompts. "Each response should be approximately 150 words."
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/essays

Application fee · Required
Value: 75
The nonrefundable application fee is $75, paid by credit card upon submission through the Common App.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/process
Fee waiver · Optional
"If you're a domestic student who qualifies for a fee waiver, your school counselor must submit our fee waiver form." Waivers can be faxed, mailed, or submitted electronically, including through Common App.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/process
Recommendation letters · Not required
"No, we don't accept letter of recommendation or other unsolicited materials." The university removes any unsolicited materials, including letters of recommendation, from the file before review.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/faq/applicant-freshman
Personal essay · Required
Applicants select and answer one essay prompt from the Common Application's list; the response can be 250 to 650 words.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/essays
Supplemental essays · Required
Applicants answer two to three major-specific writing prompts, each approximately 150 words, found in the Writing tab of the Common App supplemental questions.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/essays
English proficiency · Recommended
"A TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score may be required or strongly recommended" for certain applicants (e.g., international applicants) depending on English proficiency.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/requirements
FAFSA · Required
Financial-aid applicants file the FAFSA; the priority deadline is March 15.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/invest/financial-aid
Other · Required
Applicants self-report their high school courses and grades exactly as they appear on the transcript; an official transcript is required only if the applicant enrolls.
https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/process

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports application_platforms

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/process

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports testing_policy

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/process

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/dates

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/invest/financial-aid

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/process

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/essays

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/faq/applicant-freshman

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/requirements

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/invest/financial-aid

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports essay_prompts

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/essays

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports description

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/discover/history

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports admissions_url

https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?145637

Retrieved 2026-06-10