About Illinois

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world-class, public research institution located in the United States.

About Illinois

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world-class, public research institution with a land-grant mission and a global impact. We are charged by our state to enhance the lives of people in Illinois, across the nation, and around the world through our leadership in learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development. Our campus and scholarly community is made up of pioneers, innovators, and collaborators whose creativity and diversity create a truly dynamic and interdisciplinary culture. Together, we work locally, nationally, and globally to facilitate the free exchange of ideas through our vast research enterprise, 350 inter-institutional agreements, 300 education abroad programs, and by welcoming the nation's second-largest international student population among public universities in the United States.

Why study or train here?

  • We have many years of experience. Illinois was founded in 1867, as one of the one of the original 37 public land-grant institutions created after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act.
  • We foster some of the greatest minds. 28 Pulitzer Prizes and 24 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to Illinois faculty and alumni. Meet the winners of these prestigious awards.
  • We pioneer innovative research. Illinois invented the first graphical web browser in 1993 and has lead disability support research. Read more about our research milestones.
  • We stand out among our peers. Illinois is the #11 ranked public university in the United States and has many top ranked programs. View more national and international rankings.
  • We are a global campus. Illinois welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries every year, in addition to sending many students abroad. Learn more about our impact.

Take a virtual tour of campus

Let the Office of Undergraduate Admissions introduce you to Illinois through photos or virtual reality and learn more about the places where you will study and train.

view of the illinois quad

General Information & Resources

The university is located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana in east-central Illinois, United States. The cities are often referred to jointly as Champaign-Urbana. The University is situated about 140 miles south of Chicago, 125 miles west of Indianapolis, and 180 miles northeast of St. Louis, all major cities of industry in the United States.

Time

The state of Illinois is located in the Central Standard Time Zone, often abbreviated to CST. 

The Champaign-Urbana area has four distinct seasons:

  • Fall (mid-September to mid-December) is cool, sometimes rainy, and famous for the changing colors of tree leaves.
  • Winter (mid-December to mid-March) is cold, windy, and often includes much snow and ice.
  • Spring (late March to late May) can be very rainy and stormy, but also has many sunny days with a mix of cool, warm, and hot temperatures.
  • Summer (June to mid-September) is warm, but can be very hot and humid with many thunderstorms.

The Champaign-Urbana area and the University is served by the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD), which has its main interchange at Illinois Terminal. Illinois Terminal also provides service by Greyhound Lines, Burlington Trailways, and multiple Amtrak lines. The Willard Airport, Champaign-Urbana's regional airport, offers direct flights to Chicago through American Airlines.

The University Police Department provides resources and services to keep the campus community safe, including: an around-the-clock police force, emergency response, and educational programming. We encourage you to visit the University Police Department's campus safety tips webpage for guidance on how to stay safe on campus.