University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses and Majors Guide 2025

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses guide is one of the most extensive and diverse in the nation. Whether you want to study robotics, creative writing, data science, or agriculture, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is where you need to be.

But it's daunting to choose the most appropriate course or major with everything out there. This blog will guide you through the academic options, starting from the most popular University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign majors up to different degrees, specialized University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign master's and doctoral degrees, and even University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign online courses.

We'll also talk about the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign course catalog, scholarships, tuition rates, and much more, all in a straightforward and honest way.

Why the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a Top Choice for Students

It's said that there are over 50,000 reasons why students choose this university as their home. The range of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses spans from many emerging fields to the traditional, giving students amazing flexibility and opportunities. Below are just a few reasons why students flock to Urbana-Champaign:

World-class faculty in STEM, liberal arts, and business. If students want to get involved in work that drives innovation in the world, they can find it at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign through some of the top researchers and most recognized industry leaders in their field who occupy the faculty ranks in the many University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign programs.
Research, Research, Research! More than 150 active research centers. For both undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, they are provided the opportunity to be actively engaged in research. With research being a learning and impact opportunity, student learning can lead to knowledge that puts them at the forefront of innovation in the world.
The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) and other facilities are leading-edge. Facility opportunities like the NCSA offer access and sight to some of the best technology available for many technical and scientific University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses, so students start with an advantage from their first day.
A rich culture and community, in addition to a legacy that started in 1867. This university's legacy through decades of commitment to academic excellence is combined with a vibrant campus life and extensive alumni network to provide students with the greatest possible chances of success.

And just in case it doesn't impress you, this is the university to which 27 Pulitzer Prize winners, several Nobel Laureates, and notable leaders in numerous areas of business and government have called their own.

Navigating the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Course Catalog

The course catalog for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is organized by college and subject. Whether you are looking for undergraduate or graduate studies, all listings in the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Courses will have important information like credit hours, prerequisites, descriptions, and availability by semester.

Here's a simple breakdown of the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Courses by college:

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College	Departments	Notable Courses
College of Engineering	Computer Science, Mechanical Eng., Bioengineering	Data Structures and Algorithms, Electrical and Computer Eng.
Liberal Arts & Sciences	Psychology, Biology, Communication	Introductory Psychology, Organismal & Evolutionary Biology
Gies College of Business	Finance, Accountancy, Marketing	Financial Markets, Accounting and Accountancy I
College of Education	Special Education, Curriculum & Instruction	The Culture of Disability, Educational Psychology
Fine & Applied Arts	Architecture, Dance, Music, Theatre	Introduction to Design I, Fundamentals of Music
Agricultural Sciences	Crop Sciences, Animal Sciences, Natural Resources	Introduction to Crop Sciences, Principles of Animal Sciences
Grainger College of Engineering	Aerospace, Civil, Computer, and Electrical Engineering	Aerospace Numerical Methods, School of Computing and Data Science

You can access the full University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign course catalog online, but this guide highlights some of the most prominent offerings across all colleges.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses: Best Undergraduate Majors

Choosing a major is a monumental decision. The good news? You can't really go wrong with any of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses. Here are some of the most popular undergraduate degree programs.

Computer Science

Offered through the Grainger College of Engineering, it is one of the programs with the largest number of applicants in the country. Relevant topics include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and machine learning. This is, without a doubt, the most heavily sought-after University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as up to 7% students choose these majors with global brand recognition.

Psychology

A nationally ranked psychology program that emphasizes heavily on a research-based form of learning that includes lab experience. Students work on projects led by faculty members, in addition to working on research internships. It is also among the top 5 majors preferred by students.

Accounting

Gies College of Business has built a strong reputation in accountancy, which is a good option if you're looking for a pathway to move into the top University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduate program options available, like the iMSA.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is great for individuals who like to design machines, engines, and robotics. This is a great program to build on the foundations for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign degrees in engineering. Engineering is the #1 major for students and at every university, almost 20% students opt for it.

Agricultural & Biological Engineering

An interdisciplinary course drawing upon biology and technology to address global issues of agriculture and sustainability. This makes it to the list of top 10 majors with 7% students signing up for it. It brings together the life sciences and technology/business innovation, ideal for future innovators.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has several other popular courses, including Architecture, Aerospace Engineering, Business Management, and Media Studies.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Degrees at a Glance

You’ve got several pathways to earn your University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign degrees, from associate programs (via transfer) to doctoral studies.

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Degree Level	Description
Bachelor’s Degree	150+ options across 11 colleges, giving students access to a wide variety of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign majors.
Master’s Degree	Professional and research-based (MS, MBA, MEd), ideal for those advancing in specialized University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign programs.
Doctoral Degree	PhDs in Engineering, Sciences, Humanities—perfect for academic and research-focused careers.
Certificates	Graduate/professional credentials (e.g., Data Analytics), great for working professionals or continuing learners.
Online Degrees	Fully remote through select University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses, offering flexibility and global accessibility.

The structure of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses encourages interdisciplinary learning, think Computer Science major with a Music minor.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Graduate Programs

The graduate school experience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is simply awesome. The graduate programs here involve access to top-tier research, superb faculty, and great job outcomes.

Some of the top graduate-level University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses include:

Master of Computer Science (MCS)

This program is demanding, studying algorithms, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, on campus and online.

MBA (also offered as an iMBA online)

This internationally ranked program offers network management, leadership, and strategic management in an online course system that's flexible.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

This is a valuable program for those looking to change healthcare policy, global health, and epidemiology.

PhD in Electrical Engineering

This is the best program for those who aspire to impact engineering research technology, it's known to be a top University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign degree.

MS in Data Science

This data-oriented degree provides great career outcomes for graduates pursuing careers in analytics, artificial intelligence, and technology consulting.

In addition, most graduate programs require a GPA of at least 3.0, standardized test(s), GRE/GMAT (where applicable), and a statement of purpose with an accomplished level of writing.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Online Courses

Not in Illinois? No worries. Many University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses are fully available online, whether you're looking for full degrees or specialized certifications.

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Program	Type	Duration
iMBA	Full Master’s Degree	2–3 years
iMSA (Accounting)	Full Master’s Degree	2–3 years
Data Mining Specialization	Professional Certificate	4–6 months
Cloud Computing Concepts	Coursera Course	4–8 weeks

These University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign online courses use top-tier platforms like Coursera and Canvas for flexible and accessible learning. Many are a part of the most in-demand University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign programs.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Tuition Fees

Here’s a breakdown of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign tuition fees by residency and program type:

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Program Type	In-State Tuition	Out-of-State Tuition	International Tuition
Undergraduate	$17,572/year	$36,068/year	$38,000+/year
Graduate	$17,000–$24,000/year	$28,000–$38,000/year	$30,000+/year
Online Programs	$3,000+/course	$3,500+/course	Similar to Out-of-State

Compared to many metro areas, living in Urbana-Champaign is relatively less expensive, which often allows students to participate in the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses and other necessary activities while managing their living costs. These expenses make it much easier to invest in University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign degrees.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Scholarships

Numerous University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scholarships are available to support your academic journey.

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Scholarship Name	Amount	Eligibility
Illinois Commitment	Full Tuition	In-state, income <$75,000
Provost Scholarship	$5,000/year	Incoming freshman students
Graduate Fellowships	Varies	Research-based programs

Graduate-level University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses often come with teaching assistantships and department grants, making education more affordable for domestic and international students.

Life on Campus + Academic Culture

Academically, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses push students to innovate and think critically. Many of the disciplines are taught by faculty who rank among the best in their fields, with facilities and labs that could be classified as state-of-the-art.

Outside of class, students have access to over 1,000 student organizations and all the perks of a Big Ten university. Whether you are interested in tech competitions, art shows, or intramural sports, there are always activities. This type of environment allows a student to complement their education by developing personally and socially at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign majors.

How to Choose the Right Course at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Overwhelmed by your choices? Here are a few tips for sifting through the many University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses available.

Look at your interests - Start your search of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign course catalog. Match your interests with available majors so you'll be happy in the long run.
Look at job outcomes - If you're going into high-demand fields like Engineering or CS, you have very good placement statistics. These programs are also the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's strongest graduate programs.
Look at combining degree majors - Many departments have broad combinations that allow students to tailor their degree experience. This is also a good way to develop multiple skill sets.
Look at transfer policies - this will be important, especially for students at community colleges. The university has pathways to help in staying on track toward University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign degrees.
Look at online courses - These are provided with the same full academic value as on-campus classes. These are for working professionals seeking academic accomplishment and for students learning remotely.

Whether you’re seeking a bachelor’s degree, graduate certificates, or an online specialization, the extensive University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Courses could be a good investment. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has world-class faculty, top job placement, and solid funding; it is a leading institution in the world of higher education.