Where is UIUC located?

Seeing the UIUC campus in person can give you a better understanding of the academic environment, student life, and the surrounding area. A visit helps you get a real feel for the place and can be a key factor in making your decision. Let’s explore why visiting your future university is an important step.

Where is the UIUC campus?

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, in east-central Illinois.

Campus Address: 901 West Illinois Street, Urbana, IL 61801

This area, known as the Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area, has a combined population of around 207,000. The university is approximately 140 miles south of Chicago, 125 miles west of Indianapolis, and 180 miles northeast of St. Louis.

The campus is almost evenly divided between the two cities. Some parts of the university extend into Urbana Township. UIUC is one of the original 37 public land-grant institutions established following the signing of the Morrill Act by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862.

How big is the UIUC campus?

UIUC has a large campus, with about 1,783 acres, making it the biggest in Illinois. Including all university-owned buildings and land, the total area is nearly 10 square miles (6,370 acres), with 651 active buildings for students and staff.

What Is UIUC Known For?

UIUC’s College of Engineering is among the best in the country, particularly for its Computer Engineering, Electrical/Electronic/Communications, and Civil Engineering programs, all ranked within the top 5. The Computer Science program is equally impressive, with specializations like Software Engineering and Computer Systems also ranked highly.

The School of Information Sciences and the Department of Psychology are recognized as some of the best in the nation. UIUC’s College of Business is also highly regarded, with strong programs in Accounting, Marketing, and Finance.

What are the facilities available at UIUC?

Spanning nearly 10 square miles, the campus has buildings and spaces for the learning and living experience of students and staff.

Academic and Instructional Facilities

• Altgeld Hall: A historic building originally constructed in 1896-1897, now housing the Mathematics Department.
• Business Instructional Facility (BIF): A modern, LEED-certified building for the Gies College of Business, featuring classrooms, a commons area, and the Illinois MakerLab.
• Campus Instructional Facility (CIF): Opened in 2021, CIF supports new technologies and teaching strategies with IFLEX classrooms.
• Foellinger Auditorium: A central lecture hall used for events and lectures since its dedication in 1907.
• Lincoln Hall: A historic lecture hall equipped with modern audio and visual technology.
• Morrow Plots: The oldest experimental crop field in America, established in 1876.
• Siebel Center for Design: An interdisciplinary design center for studying and practicing design thinking.

Community and Recreational Facilities

• Alice Campbell Alumni Center: A venue with meeting rooms and event spaces, home to the Illinois Alumni Association.
• Allerton Park and Retreat Center: A historic estate offering woodland areas, formal gardens, hiking trails, and lodging facilities.
• Illini Union: The heart of campus life with study spaces, dining options, and recreational facilities.
• Main Quad: An open grassy area central to campus activities and gatherings.

Libraries

• University Library: The second largest academic library in the U.S., with over 14 million volumes and specialized collections.
• Grainger Engineering Library: Supports engineering research and houses the IDEA Lab for digital scholarship.
• Rare Book and Manuscript Library: One of the largest special collections repositories in the U.S., with great literature, history, and science materials.

Research Centers

• Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology: Facilitates interdisciplinary research in neuroscience, materials science, and more.
• Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology: Focuses on transformative life sciences research.
• National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA): Used for transdisciplinary research and digital scholarship.
• Research Park: An innovation hub for technology commercialization, home to over 120 companies and 800 student interns.

What Are the Dining Options at UIUC?

UIUC’s dining options suit every student’s taste and need with plenty of choices available. If you need a sit-down meal or quick on the go, UIUC has got it covered.

• All-You-Care-To-Eat Dining Halls
• Ikenberry Dining Center (Ike Dining Center
• Illinois Street Dining Center (ISR Dining Center)
• Lincoln Avenue Dining Hall (LAR Dining Hall)
• Pennsylvania Avenue Dining Hall (PAR Dining Hall)

Retail Locations

• 57 North: A convenience store located in Ikenberry Commons, offering snacks, hot food, and supplies. Prepared foods can also be ordered ahead using the Illinois app.
• The Caffeinator: This spot offers pastries, breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, coffee, teas, and more.
• InfiniTEA: Serves a variety of hot and iced teas, bubble tea, fresh juices, coffee, and pastries.
• TerraByte: Another convenience store with a selection of snacks, hot food, and household supplies. Orders can be placed ahead via the Illinois app.
• Urbana South Market (USM): This space offers snacks, meals, and supplies similar to a convenience store.
• Good2Go Food Truck: The Good2Go Food Truck features international cuisine with a menu that changes weekly. Its location and hours are weather-dependent.

What Are the Housing Options at UIUC?

UIUC provides two main types of on-campus housing: residence halls and university apartments.

Residence Halls

The residence halls at UIUC are where first-year, transfer, upper-division, and graduate students live. These halls are traditional dormitory-style living with shared common areas such as kitchens and lounges.

On-Campus Housing

• Allen Hall
• Busey-Evans
• Illinois Street Residences (ISR)
• Lincoln Avenue Residences (LAR)
• Florida Avenue Residences (FAR)
• Pennsylvania Avenue Residences (PAR)
• Barton-Lundgren Halls

• Hopkins Hall
• Nugent Hall
• Wassaja Hall
• Weston Hall
• Bousfield Hall
• Scott Hall
• Snyder Hall
• Taft-Van Doren Halls

Residence halls vary in amenities, but all offer the basics required for student living. They also include meal plans as part of the housing rates.

University Apartments

University apartments provide more private living arrangements similar to traditional apartments, where students have their own kitchens and living rooms. These apartments are popular with graduate students.

• Orchard Downs
• Goodwin-Green
• Ashton Woods

Off-Campus Housing

After their first year, students often choose to live off-campus in the many available student housing communities or privately managed apartments around Urbana-Champaign.

Private Certified Housing

For first-year students, UIUC requires living in a “certified facility,” which includes university residence halls, Greek housing, and selected private certified housing options such as:

Illini Tower: Offers studio, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments, with single and double-occupancy options. Illini Tower includes on-site dining, study lounges, and free wireless internet.

Traditional apartment complexes usually have joint leases and may be slightly cheaper than student housing but come with the responsibility for roommates’ rent payments.

Living on campus has several benefits, including closer proximity to classes, dining halls, and campus activities. UIUC promotes the Illinois Residential Experience program, where students living on campus are more likely to graduate on time and engage more with the college community.

On the other hand, off-campus housing has more privacy and often better amenities. Students live more independently and can sometimes be more cost-effective. Off-campus communities typically offer flexible lease terms and added amenities.

What are the famous landmarks inside the UIUC campus?

The UIUC campus has several iconic landmarks that reflect its history and architectural beauty. Here are some of the most popular landmarks:

Alma Mater

One of the most recognizable symbols of UIUC, the Alma Mater statue was designed by University graduate Lorado Taft and unveiled in 1929. It stands as a welcoming figure with outstretched arms, symbolizing the university’s motto, “To thy happy children of the future, those of the past send greetings.”

Altgeld Hall

This building is known for its Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. It originally served as the university library and later housed the law school and the mathematics department.

Memorial Stadium

The Memorial Stadium is a tribute to the university’s students who perished in World War I. It is distinctive due to its Georgian Revival and Neoclassical architecture and is where the university’s football games are held.

Morrow Plots

The oldest experimental agricultural fields in continuous use in the United States. These plots have contributed significantly to advancements in agricultural practices.

Foellinger Auditorium

The Foellinger Auditorium is an example of Beaux Arts Classical style architecture. It is a central lecture hall and event space on campus, known for its remarkable dome and copper roof.

Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

The largest research building on campus and is used for interdisciplinary research in fields of science and technology.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

Opened in 1969, the Krannert Center is a premier performance facility with four theaters and an outdoor amphitheater. It hosts over 350 performances each year.

Allerton Park and Retreat Center

Allerton Park is a historical estate donated to the university in 1946. It has formal gardens, extensive landscape parks, and a manor house modeled after Ham House in England. It is also a National Natural Landmark.

Astronomical Observatory

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990, the observatory is known for its contributions to astronomy, particularly the development of the selenium cell and the photoelectric cell.

Illini Union

The Illini Union is a venue for student activities, study spaces, dining options, and recreational facilities. Its Georgian Revival style adds to its architectural charm.

Spurlock Museum

The Spurlock Museum holds approximately 45,000 artifacts from diverse cultures and historical periods. It includes permanent galleries, a temporary gallery, and an auditorium.

What Are the Local Attractions and Activities at UIUC?

There’s always something exciting to do at UIUC!

Annual Events and Festivals

• Japan House Cherry Blossoms: Each spring, people flock to Japan House to witness the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms, celebrating under the 50 cherry trees in the Sen Cherry Tree Allée.
• Champaign County African American Heritage Trail: Explore African American history and culture through a series of murals and historic sites.
• Homecoming: A beloved tradition featuring the iconic fountain dyed orange, a 5K race, a parade, and a football game.
• Pride Fest: Celebrated every fall with events across Champaign, Urbana, and Campustown, including a parade, fair, block parties, and more.
• Restaurant Week: A culinary celebration featuring diverse cuisines from local restaurants.
• Pygmalion Festival: A three-day event filled with music, art, literature, technology, and maker activities.
• Ebertfest: Roger Ebert’s Film Festival celebrates films that didn’t receive deserved recognition to continue the legacy of the renowned film critic and UIUC graduate.
• Boneyard Arts Festival: A spring event that turns local venues into galleries.

Everyday Fun

• The State Farm Center: Known for hosting Fighting Illini games and concerts.
• The Arboretum & Japan House: The Arboretum has 160-acre walking paths and trees, while Japan House is a traditional Japanese cultural experience with beautiful gardens.
• Live Music: Champaign-Urbana has a lively music scene with venues hosting performances throughout the year.
• The Ice Arena: Experience the thrill of a hockey match or enjoy public skating sessions.
• Krannert Center for the Performing Arts: Hosts world-renowned performances, with affordable tickets for UIUC students.

• Staerkel Planetarium: Mind-expanding presentations on astronomy and the universe.
• Krannert Art Museum: The second-largest fine art museum in Illinois, with over 11,000 pieces of art from ancient to modern times.
• Meadowbrook Park: A 130-acre park with woods, prairie, and walking paths, perfect for outdoor activities.
• Local Libraries: The Champaign Public Library and Urbana Free Library offer top-notch resources, events, and classes.
• Illini Grove: A green space on campus with picnic tables, sports courts, and plenty of trees for hammocks or slacklines.
• Farmer’s Markets: Urbana Market at the Square, Champaign Farmer’s Market, and Sustainable Student Farm provide fresh produce and local crafts.
• Autumn Activities: Enjoy apple and pumpkin picking, cider, baked goods, corn mazes, and various fall festivals.

Nearby Attractions

Allerton Park and Retreat Center: Just a short drive away, this park features a European-style mansion, beautiful gardens, and wooded trails, donated to UIUC in 1946.

What Are the Transportation Options at UIUC?

There are transportation options to help students, faculty, and visitors get around UIUC conveniently and efficiently.

Bus & Train

Illinois Terminal: This local transit gives access to Amtrak train service and intercity buses, located just one mile from campus. It is accessible via the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) bus service.

Other Bus Services:

• Amtrak
• Greyhound
• Peoria Charter
• Public Transit

Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD)

UIUC students, faculty, and staff can ride MTD buses for free by showing their i-card or Illinois App ID. MTD has routes, schedules, real-time information, and apps on its website. They also provide SafeRides Connect, an on-demand service for traveling on campus after dark.

Biking

Bicycle-Friendly Community: Urbana-Champaign is very bike-friendly, with Champaign designated as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly City, Urbana as a Gold Bicycle Friendly City, and the campus as a Silver Bicycle Friendly University. The area has numerous bike paths, racks, and lanes. The Campus Bike Center offers bike repairs and information on bike registration, routes, and rules.

Driving & Parking

Campus Parking: Information about parking lots, passes, and metered parking is available for those who drive. Both the city of Champaign and the city of Urbana have additional parking options near the campus.

Car Sharing

Zipcar: This car-sharing service is available on campus and in the community. Members can reserve cars by the hour or day, with gas and insurance included.

How does the UIUC impact Illinois?

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) greatly benefits Illinois through various efforts. Economically, UIUC has secured over $24 million in grants and engaged many volunteers to improve community development and education. The university supports local businesses and cultural activities, encouraging creative enterprises like microbreweries and art cooperatives.

UIUC has also made a big impact in Peoria with a cultural asset mapping project. This project created maps, videos, and reports that help the community connect and identify strengths. The CREATE BRIDGES initiative helps rural areas improve their retail, accommodation, and tourism sectors, boosting local economies.

UIUC works with the Illinois Office of Broadband to improve internet access, especially in underserved areas. They gather public input to develop plans for better broadband infrastructure. Lastly, UIUC leads projects focused on clean water, energy goals, climate justice, and biodiversity, promoting sustainable practices.

Since its founding in 1867, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has become a world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. Visiting the campus, explore its beautiful landmarks, and experience what their academic and social life is like.  A trip to UIUC is sure to be both informative and fun!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Urbana-Champaign a good city?

Yes, Urbana-Champaign is a great place to live! Urbana, with a population of about 38,741, is part of Champaign County and is considered one of the best places to live in Illinois. It is a mix of urban and suburban vibes with many bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.

2. Is UIUC part of the Ivy League?

No, UIUC is not part of the Ivy League. However, Forbes magazine has recognized the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as one of the 10 public “New Ivies.” These universities attract high-achieving students and produce graduates who are highly regarded in their fields.

3. How is UIUC ranked in the US?

In the 2024 edition of Best Colleges, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is ranked #35 among National Universities. It is recognized for its strong academic programs and great campus life.