University of Illinois System
The University of Illinois System is a premier public higher education network comprising three primary campuses: Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), and University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). Together, these institutions provide a diverse range of academic programs, from world-class research and medical training to liberal arts and professional studies.
System Governance and Leadership
The system is governed by a thirteen-member board of trustees. This board includes the governor of Illinois as an ex officio member (a member by virtue of their office), nine trustees appointed by the governor, and three student trustees elected by referendum—one from each university. The governor designates one of these student trustees to hold a voting seat.
Executive leadership is provided by the president, an executive vice president, a CFO/vice president of finance, and a vice president for economic development and innovation. Each individual university is led by its own chancellor. Centralized system offices provide critical administrative and strategic support to ensure the missions of all three universities are met.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
Founded in 1867 as the Illinois Industrial University, UIUC was one of 37 public land-grant institutions—universities established to focus on agriculture and mechanical arts—created following the Morrill Act of 1862. It is the largest and most prestigious campus in the system, enrolling over 56,000 students across 17 colleges and instructional units.
UIUC is globally recognized for its contributions to engineering and technology. The campus is home to the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), where the Mosaic web browser—the first HTML browser capable of rendering images—was developed. The NCSA also created NCSA Telnet in 1987 for remote supercomputer access and launched the petascale Blue Waters supercomputer in 2012.
The university's academic achievements are vast, including inventions like the LED, plasma screen, and integrated circuit. Notably, physics professor John Bardeen is the only researcher to win the Nobel Prize in Physics twice. The campus also houses the largest public academic library in the United States, containing over twelve million volumes.
Beyond academics, UIUC is known for the Marching Illini band. The university previously used a Native American figure, Chief Illiniwek, as its athletic symbol, but the figure was retired in 2007 following significant controversy.
Innovation and Athletics
In 2017, the system launched the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) in Chicago, a center for applied R&D and tech workforce development managed by the UIUC Grainger College of Engineering. Athletically, UIUC competes in the Big Ten Conference and NCAA Division I.
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
UIC is the largest university in the Chicago area, serving approximately 34,000 students across 16 colleges and schools. It is one of five doctoral research universities in Illinois, with annual research expenditures exceeding $394 million.
A cornerstone of the campus is its role in healthcare. UIC operates the state's major public medical center and is a primary educator for physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses. This is facilitated through the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, known as UI Health.
The current iteration of UIC was formed in 1982 through the consolidation of the 19th-century Medical Center campus and the Chicago Circle campus, which had replaced a two-year undergraduate campus at Navy Pier in 1965. UIC athletics are members of the Missouri Valley Conference and NCAA Division I.
University of Illinois Springfield (UIS)
Located in the state capital, UIS is the newest and smallest campus in the system, with an enrollment of about 4,000 students. It opened in 1969 as Sangamon State University, originally serving only upperclassmen and graduate students. It joined the University of Illinois system in 1995 and transitioned into a full four-year institution.
UIS offers over 50 degree-granting programs with a curriculum emphasizing a liberal arts core, professional programs, and public affairs. It boasts the lowest student-to-teacher ratio of the three system universities. UIS athletics compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and NCAA Division II.
Regional Campuses
The system extends its reach through regional campuses in Rockford, Peoria, and the Quad Cities. The College of Medicine operates in Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria; while Chicago has its own hospital, the Rockford and Peoria sites partner with local hospitals. The Peoria campus also hosts the College of Pharmacy. Additionally, the College of Nursing maintains a presence across all main and regional campuses, including a location in the Quad Cities region.
Key Facts
- Total Main Campuses: Three (Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, Springfield).
- Largest Campus: UIUC with over 56,000 students.
- Healthcare Hub: UIC operates UI Health, the state's major public medical center.
- Tech Legacy: UIUC's NCSA developed the Mosaic web browser.
- Academic Record: UIUC holds the largest public academic library in the U.S.
- Smallest Campus: UIS, featuring the system's lowest student/teacher ratio.
| Campus | Common Name | Approx. Enrollment | Athletic Division | Primary Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urbana-Champaign | UIUC | 56,000+ | NCAA Division I | Land-grant research powerhouse |
| Chicago | UIC | 34,000 | NCAA Division I | Major public medical center (UI Health) |
| Springfield | UIS | 4,000 | NCAA Division II | Public affairs and liberal arts focus |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three main campuses of the University of Illinois System?
The three main campuses are located in Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Chicago (UIC), and Springfield (UIS).
Which campus is the largest?
The Urbana-Champaign campus (UIUC) is the largest, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students.
What is UI Health?
UI Health is the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, which includes the hospital, clinics, and health science colleges at the UIC campus.
What significant technology was developed at UIUC?
UIUC's National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) helped develop Mosaic, the first HTML browser capable of rendering images, as well as NCSA Telnet.
How is the University of Illinois System governed?
It is governed by a board of thirteen trustees, including the governor of Illinois, nine gubernatorial appointees, and three student trustees (one from each university).