Urbana-Champaign
Welcome to the Silicon Prairie
Urbana-Champaign is where people work together to bring big ideas to life. Our campus community is home to a wide range of exceptional research and scholarship, but what truly sets us apart is a collaborative environment that leads to groundbreaking discovery, innovation and partnerships that invite new ways of thinking and working.
Unique "Micro-Urban" Community
Urbana-Champaign is a leading example of a "micro-urban" community—a population center of less than 250,000 with highly desirable attributes found in larger cities. Our vibrant arts and culture, internationally diverse population, growing technology hub, commitment to societal issues, and a world-class university make this an ideal place to live, study and work.
True Interdisciplinary Spirit
We're home to numerous research centers, multidisciplinary research efforts and advanced laboratories. At Illinois, we don't just talk about interdisciplinary discovery. It's our way of life. Here, we redefine success, and invent new ways of working with colleagues across campus and fields.
“Living is not the same as residing; you can reside in a place without living in it. Living is enjoying life to the fullest extent, and Urbana-Champaign is a place to live.”
Alejandro Dominguez-Garcia
Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Better Living, Less Hassle
- #2 on American Institute of Economic Research's Best College Towns based on demographics, quality of life, and economics.
- #2 among national peer institutions for cost-of-living.
- 80 parks spanning nearly 1,000 acres in Urbana-Champaign alone (and many more within a short drive) provide an abundance of swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and biking opportunities.
- 19 intercollegiate sports programs keeps the excitement of Big Ten athletics ever-present on campus.
- Easy commutes, a designated "bike friendly" community and an award-winning mass transit system (free with campus ID) make it quick and simple to get from here to there.
Points of Interest
- Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is a nationally renowned venue, attracting theater, musical and dance performances from entertainers from around the globe.
- The Illinois Marathon offers races for all skill levels, from 5K to a full 26.2 mile race. This scenic course takes you through Champaign-Urbana and can help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.
- PYGMALION Festival brings hundreds of musicians, innovators, artists, comedians and anyone else with something to share.
- Ebertfest was started by Illinois alum Roger Ebert. It brings together writers, producers, actors, directors and film buffs to celebrate films that haven’t received the recognition they deserved during their original runs.