The university campus spans the twin cities of Champaign (population 66,000) and Urbana (population 37,000). These cities are home to several large corporations and many new high-tech companies, including some exciting start-ups based on faculty and student research.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is large. Every year more than 9,000 graduate students and 25,000 undergraduates enroll in 15 colleges and academic units. Because of the university's large size and its commitment to educating people from all walks of life, the diversity of the population and the variety of activities that take place on campus is tremendous. The University Library is the third largest academic library in the country, after Harvard and Yale.

At the heart of the campus' 1,145 acres is the Quad, anchored north by the elegant, red brick Illini Union, a hub for student activities, which houses a hotel and restaurant, and south by the Foellinger Auditorium, a beautifully restored 1907 building capped by a copper dome. The Quad is surrounded by stately ivy-covered brick and stone buildings and shady trees, which typify the campus and give it its unique character. Even the newest buildings on campus have been designed to sit harmoniously among their historic neighbors. (Take a tour of some of the buildings on campus.) The combination of interesting architecture and abundance of green spaces make for many quiet spots and pleasant walking. It's the Midwest, at its best.

Although the area was made flat by ancient glaciers, there are mountains of things to do outside. Weather is stimulating; one can experience the entire range of the four seasons with a full view of the Midwestern sky. Physical fitness is easy to maintain as the Division of Campus Recreation administers one of the most comprehensive recreational programs in the world. A world-class tennis facility and ice arena are readily available for student use year round. In addition, there are pools, playing fields, golf courses, and facilities for almost every sport imaginable. Illinois is home to the Fighting Illini, teams that compete in the Big Ten in sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, and baseball.

There are many cultural activities both on and off campus. The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, one of the best performing arts complexes in the nation, holds over 300 performances yearly in its four theaters. The Spurlock Museum, opening in 2001, will provide a new home for over 40,000 ethnographic and cultural artifacts from civilizations around the world and across history. The Museum of Natural History (a division of the Spurlock Museum) currently features permanent exhibits on botany, biology, and geology as well as substantial and significant research collections numbering almost half a million specimens. The Krannert Art Museum has a diverse collection of 9,000 objects ranging from European and American paintings to contemporary art and photography, and African, pre-Columbian, and Asian art. A full schedule of temporary exhibits complements the permanent collections. These museums and the John Philip Sousa Museum and Library are used for research, teaching, and enjoyment. The newly relocated Japan House and Arboretum offers informal and formal tea rooms, stroll gardens, and an authentic space to experience courses in Japanese art and culture. Restaurants represent cuisine from around the world, from Indian and Thai delicacies to sushi and Swiss fondue. Champaign is home to a thriving music scene and several local theaters.

In addition to Chicago, 150 miles to the north, St. Louis and Indianapolis are also nearby. The area is served by Amtrak rail and Willard Airport, with nonstop flights to hub cities. A car is not required to get around town; we have an extensive network of bicycle paths and a top-notch bus system.

Cost of living is relatively low, with the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment $500 per month. To compare Champaign-Urbana with other communities, visit the salary calculator. Nearly every facility on campus is accessible to the physically disabled.