Academic Programs & Learning

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

What About Academic Quality?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

20:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

94%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

73%

Part-time students continuing

📊

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 20:1 means there are approximately 20 students for every faculty member. This moderate ratio balances personalized attention with institutional capacity.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 80% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches Here?

Total Teaching Staff
2,498
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
20:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
12%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (20%) Non-Tenure (8%) Other

Academic Ranks

Professors45
Associate Professors103
Assistant Professors245
Instructors & Lecturers272
Other Instructional Staff1833

Understanding Faculty Composition

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign employs 2498 instructional staff members. About 20% hold tenured positions. The mix of ranked faculty and instructors supports diverse learning experiences.

Where Do Online Students Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2023 census)

Undergraduate (35,564 enrolled)
436
exclusively online (1.2%)
Same state 291 (66.7%)
Other US states 107 (24.5%)
Outside US 34 (7.8%)
Graduate (20,999 enrolled)
8,561
exclusively online (40.8%)
Same state 2,987 (34.9%)
Other US states 4,576 (53.5%)
Outside US 979 (11.4%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

67% of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's exclusively online undergraduates are located in IL. At the graduate level, 53% study from other US states, suggesting strong national demand for online graduate programs.

What Is the Academic Load?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

56,762
Total FTE
35,812
Undergraduate FTE
20,950
Graduate FTE

FTE Distribution

Undergraduate FTE
35,812 (63.1%)
Graduate FTE
20,950 (36.9%)

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:100.4% FTE ratio indicates students are primarily full-time

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) measures the total student enrollment adjusted for course load. One FTE represents a student taking a full course load, while two half-time students equal one FTE. This metric helps compare institutional size and resource allocation across different schools.

How Intensively Do Students Study?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

100.4%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelVery High

Nearly all students attend full-time, indicating a traditional, immersive academic environment with full-time commitment.

Undergraduate FTE
35,812
Graduate FTE
20,950
Total FTE
56,762
Headcount
56,563

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

The enrollment intensity shows how committed students are to their studies. Higher FTE ratios indicate more full-time students and intensive programs, while lower ratios suggest flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals and students with other responsibilities. This information helps you understand whether the institution caters to traditional full-time students or offers more flexibility for adult learners.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign directly at 2173331000 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1 supports personalized learning
  • 2498 instructional staff with 20% holding tenured positions
  • Primarily full-time enrollment creates immersive learning environment
  • Online students from IL and beyond (25% out-of-state)

Ready to Learn More About Academics at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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