#1
return on investment in the Big Ten (PayScale)
5★
university for combining quality and affordability (Money)
#11
best value public university
(Princeton Review)
27
Pulitzer and 23 Nobel Prize winners among faculty and alumni
Value of Illinois
Worth It.
The Value of an Illinois Degree
When you graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, you graduate with a world-renowned legacy behind you.
Benefits of a College Education
College helps you learn more about yourself.
You'll discover passions, gain fresh insights, and meet new people. You'll also have a chance to flex your independence. As you embrace the resources and opportunities that surround you, college is a great place to grow!
College opens doors professionally.
Data consistently shows that as you increase your education level, salaries grow and unemployment rates dwindle.
Table Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Unemployment Rates & Earning by Education
| Median Weekly Earning | Unemployment Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral | $2,083 | 1.0% |
| Professional | $2,080 | 1.4% |
| Master's | $1,661 | 1.9% |
| Bachelor's | $1,432 | 2.2% |
| Associate's | $1,005 | 2.7% |
| Some College, No Degree | $936 | 3.5% |
| High School Diploma | $853 | 4.0% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | $682 | 5.5% |
| Average | $1,123 | 3.0% |
What Sets Us Apart
We're a diverse, vibrant campus with a reputation for excellence and opportunity. Our students and faculty are known for doing amazing things, and you can see it across all areas of the university!
Stellar Programs
Whatever you want to study, we likely have it—including some of the top programs in the nation! With ever-growing major options and class choices, we're constantly expanding our horizons to elevate your academic experience.
Cutting-Edge Research
Life-changing research is being done across all disciplines here, and you can get involved right away! Work with renowned faculty in state-of-the-art labs, intern at Research Park, or start your own business through iVenture Accelerator.
Award-Winning Faculty
Our professors are renowned in their fields and constantly finding new ways to change the world through their teaching and research—and they're always ready and willing to help you!
Amazing Internships & Connections
Jobs and internships abound at Illinois, whether you want to work on campus or with a Fortune 500 company—or with a Fortune 500 company on campus! Plus your options only expand upon graduation, with over 500,000 living alumni excited to help you make connections.
Retention & Graduation Rates
How do we compare to others when it comes to graduation and retention? Here's everything you need to know!
First-Year Retention Rate
- Us: 94%
- All Public Universities: 78%
Six-Year Graduation Rate
- Us: 85%
- All Public Universities: 64%
Sources: National Student Clearinghouse and National Center for Education Statistics
Illini Success
Our graduates succeed at the highest levels. In fact, 92 Fortune 100 companies recruit Illini, and 95% of students are employed or continuing their education within 6 months of graduating. Discover more Illini achievements!
On the Horizon
Building a network of peers, connecting with mentors, and inclusive programs helped first-gen student Jonathan achieve his dream career as a Boeing engineer.
Connecting the Dots
As Netflix's first director of product accessibility, Heather sees a future where accessibility is a fundamental step in achieving equity.
Sending a Message
Cherish blended her love of the humanities with her work at Research Park into her ideal career path: health communications. Her advice? "Don't be afraid of individuality."