University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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MS Courses at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, Illinois, USA

4.4 /5

(5 Reviews)

977 Student Q&A

Shiksha popularity ranking

#13 in MS in USA

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1292 Scholarships for studying in USA

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6370 acre campus
Estd. 1867

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Last updated on 24 Nov '25

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign MS
What's new?

International students can take the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS admission based on the program's specializations. The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS application deadline for international students is given below:

Masters: Varies as per the program

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Overview

Table of contents

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign MS Highlights 2026
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign MS Popular courses
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign MS Fees details 2026
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS Application Process
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS Admission Dates
+ 2 more items

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign MS Highlights 2026

There are MS courses offered at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for a duration of 9 months to 3 years that are available for Indian students. This program is extremely beneficial for students who wish to excel in leadership qualities, with excellent academic and professional opportunities and extracurricular merit. There are a total of 72 courses available for international students, out of which Physics, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering are among the most popular specializations. The first-year tuition fees that must be paid for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign MS range between USD 17,664 - 51,188. Along with the first-year tuition fees, international students plan to cover other expenses as well like housing, food, transportation and more.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign MS Admission Requirements and Eligibility

To be able to enroll in the MS program, students must adhere to certain guidelines, submit scores of qualifying exams and all the necessary documents. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign admission requirements include scores of exams such as

GMAT
GRE

and documents such as

LOR
SOP
Essay
CV

Commonly asked questions
On Highlights

Q: Is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign better than the University of Chicago?

The University of Chicago is better than the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. As per the unofficial source, the University of Chicago ranks at #11 among national universities, whereas the UIUC stands at #33 position. Also, the University of Chicago's graduation rate is higher than that of UIUC. Students can check the table below for the comparison between the two universities:

Particulars	University of Chicago	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
US News National University Rankings 2025	#11	#33
Graduation Rate	86%	73%
Acceptance Rate	5%	44%
Tuition fees	UG: INR 48 L-INR 56L PG: INR 19L- INR 93L	UG: INR 28L- INR 36L PG: INR 14L- INR 45L
Student-faculty ratio	5:1	20:1

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign MS
Popular courses

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Showing 72 Courses

Master of Science in Computer Science

18 months

1st year Tution Fees

₹36 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

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Master of Science in Information Management

18 months

1st year Tution Fees

₹17 L

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Exams Accepted

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– / –

No. of Scholarship

– / –

Master of Science in Finance

15 months

1st year Tution Fees

₹41 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

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No. of Scholarship

– / –

18 months

1st year Tution Fees

₹24 L

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Exams Accepted

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Master of Science in Bioinformatics

18 months

1st year Tution Fees

₹24 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

– / –

No. of Scholarship

– / –

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering

4.018 months

1st year Tution Fees

₹36 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

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University of Illinois Urbana Champaign MS
Fees details 2026

Fee components	Amount (for 9 - 42 months)
Tuition	INR 15.9 L - 46.07 L
Hostel	INR 10.22 L - 16.22 L
Insurance	INR 1.41 L - 1.89 L
Transportation	INR 12.78 K - 25.56 K
Others	INR 43.02 K - 7.67 L
Total fee	INR 28.09 L - 72.11 L

These are estimated fees information. Actual values may differ.

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS Application Process

International students must adhere to the following University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign admission process to get into MS programs. Look at the admission process given below:

International students must choose a program over 100 master's programs and go through the eligibility criteria.
Now go to the official website (grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply) to apply to MS programs and submit the required documents like academic transcripts, recommendations, standardized test scores, English language scores, and more.
Students must pay the application fee of USD 90 (INR 7.3K) for the MS to apply for the application. (USD 1=INR 84.7)
The university will review the application form within a few weeks and provide an offer letter to join the master’s program.
To get enrolled in the first semester, international students must pay the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign tuition fees to pursue a masters.

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS Cost of Living

At the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, fee MS programs ranges from INR 16L to INR 46L. Students must also budget for other expenses including housing and meals, books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation. The personal expenses could vary based on individual preferences. The cost of living for individuals pursuing an MS at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is as follows:

Particulars	Estimated cost for Masters
Housing & Food	USD 7,490 (INR 6.4L)
Books and Supplies	USD 900 (INR 77K)
Transportation	USD 68 (INR 5.8K)
Personal Expenses	USD 1,545 (INR 1.2L)
Health Insurance	USD 4,210 (INR 3.5L)
Total	USD 14,213 (INR 12L)

(USD 1=INR 84.7)

Compare MS at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with other similar colleges

College	1st Year Tuition Fees	Ranking
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	INR 15.94 L - 46.19 L	#36 US News, 2026
Purdue University Compare	INR 25.27 L - 38.98 L	#46 US News, 2026
University of Michigan Compare	INR 30.07 L - 72.72 L	#20 US News, 2026
Georgia Institute of Technology Compare	INR 18.47 L - 58.69 L	#41 THE, 2026
University of Wisconsin-Madison Compare	INR 15.63 L - 47.13 L	#36 US News, 2026
Pennsylvania State University-University Park Compare	INR 21.91 L - 45.67 L	#59 US News, 2026

The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison

View comparisons

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS Admission Dates

The UIUC MS deadlines for Indian students are given below-

course	Application deadline
Masters	Vary as per the course

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS Acceptance Rate

The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign acceptance rate is 44% for international students. This indicates that the university follows a moderately stringent process when choosing applicants for the MS course. Admission to the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS courses depends fulfilling the minimal eligibility requirements and achieving excellent academic and standardized exam results. In addition, the university gives weightage to the factors, including rigor of secondary school records, class rankings, academic GPA, recommendations, outstanding essays, personal background, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, volunteer work, and relevant experience while making admissions decisions.

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS Selection Criteria

To increase their chances of being chosen for a master’s course, international students must meet the fundamental selection requirements of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Basic academic performance, course engagement, and test eligibility are crucial criteria factors. To be admitted to the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS course, students must fulfill a minimum of one requirement. The following are the fundamental requirements for admission to the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign MS course:

Students must have a UG degree from a regionally accredited college in the United States or equivalent.
A GPA of 3 or above on a 4-point scale
Students coming from diverse countries must fulfill their English language proficiency by submitting the IELTS and TOEFL scores.
International applicants must fulfill the minimum requirements based on their country of origin

Commonly asked questions
On Admissions

Q: What is the acceptance rate for Masters at University of Illinois?

The acceptance rate for international students at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is 44%. This suggests that the university selects candidates for the MS programme using a somewhat rigorous procedure. Students must meet the minimal eligibility standards and achieve exceptional academic and standardized test scores to be admitted to the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign's MS programs. Additionally, when making admissions decisions, the university considers several factors, such as the quality of secondary school records, class rankings, academic GPA, recommendations, exceptional essays, personal background, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, volunteer work, and relevant experience.

Q: What GPA do you need for Masters at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign expects a minimum cumulative GPA of 3 on a scale of 4 from international students. Along with the academic GPA, students must fulfill the eligibility by having a bachelor's degree from a recognised institute or equivalent. They must submit the transcripts/ certificate of degree, essay, reference, GRE/ GMAT scores (test-optional), and English language requirements.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign MS Rankings

The MS course at the university is ranked among various ranking bodies. As per the Shiksha World Ranking, MS ranked #39 in 2025. International students can check the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign rankings below:

Shiksha Popularity Ranking	2023	2024	2025
World Ranking	#28	#34	#39
Country Ranking	#11	#13	#12

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University of Illinois Urbana Champaign MS
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University of Illinois Urbana Champaign MS
Students Ratings & Reviews

4.4/5

4 Verified Reviews Info Icon

Student Views (Based on Reviews)

60% students never faced discrimination in this university

Vibe of Campus

Academically oriented

Friendly

Liberal

Fun loving

Internships4

Part time work4.5

Post study jobs4.3

Quality of faculty5

Student Life5

Value for money4.3

Public transportation5

Safety4.8

Indian Food3.5

Permanent Immigration3.5

Keval Morabia Verified Icon

Professional Master of Computer Science (MCS) - Batch of 2020

4.5

One of the best CS grad schools where I was able to make net positive money during my Masters!

Tips: Do not let cold weather be a reason for not joining UIUC, you get used to it. Apart from the thesis, there is no difference between MS and MS programme and both are considered the same for job applications but the thesis programme helps you improve your profile by getting to work with a professor on a research project. Computer Science programme has decent TA/RA opportunities and if you get one, you get 100% fee waiver and $2500 monthly stipend which is well above the monthly expenses. Post covid, intake to the professional MS programme has significantly increased from ~60 to ~300 resulting in a lot more competition to get a TA/RA.

Likes (Quality of faculty): UIUC has some of the best faculty in Computer Science, many times professors teach content that has been published in books by themselves. UIUC has many diverse professors, a very wide choice of course selection and a lot of flexibility in choosing courses.

Dislikes (Indian Food): Since Urban-Champaign is a college town, there are not that many Indian restaurants and for people who eat Jain food, there are hardly any food options outside. But there are many events in the department buildings where you can occasionally get free Pizzas.

Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1000

Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryUSD

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2024Read more

Akash Singh Verified Icon

Master of Science in Systems and Entrepreneurial Engineering - Batch of 2022

Best campustown in USA which gives you most bang for your buck compared to anywhere in states

Tips: Very accommodating culture. It will be the best experience of your life. Teachers are very knowledgeable. MS programme can be tailored to your liking where you can take courses from any department without much restrictions. This happened to be the best experience of my life.

Likes (Safety): Campustown is organized in a manner where all the students converge to Green Street where we have everything needed creating an awesome environment to meet new people and have fun. Cricket lovers can join Cricket Club of Illinois for a rewarding cricket experience and tons of tournaments in summer.

Dislikes (Public transportation): Faculty is very approachable and compassionate. After first semester most Masters student can find a RA or TA position. Try to meet with the faculty and show what drives you to do research and teaching and you will get a way around. The faculty is well-educated and mostly from universities ranked above UIUC.

Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 900

Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryUSD 62650

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2024Read more

Anonymous

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering - Batch of 2024

4.1

Most people and faculty are friendly.

Tips: Champaign is the best town to live in for those coming to the US for the first time. Pros such as low rent, a friendly campus, etc. can be of help. I availed a Research Assistantship which resulted in a tuition fee waiver. Very satisfied with my courses and the University.

Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1000

Prepping time for classes21 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryUSD

Reviewed on 11 Feb 2024Read more

Anonymous

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering - Batch of 2023

3.9

My Review on doing a Masters in UIUC

Tips: Since the university is in Illinois, the weather during the winters is brutal, which most Indians will find difficult to adapt to. Hence I advise you to buy proper winter clothes when winter approaches. The grocery stores on or near campus are also expensive, so you need to learn how to buy food in bulk without wasting anything. UIUC has a large diaspora of not only Indians but other nationalities as well, so socializing is necessary but not tedious. Despite this, feelings of loneliness can set in since everyone will be busy studying for their courses, which one should be prepared for.

Likes (Public transportation): The campus has a functional transportation service which is free for students of UIUC, with plenty of buses there to reach most parts of Champaign-Urban. Despite buses taking more time to reach the destination you wish to go to, the part that is already included in your tuition fees is convenient since one pays $60 as public transportation fees.

Dislikes (Value for money): Since I did my Masters in Aerospace Engineering, finding internships for myself was tedious due to ITAR. And unlike Indian institutes, we have to find internships by ourselves because most companies that come to the career fair look for US citizens only, though I would advise going to the career fair anyway to network.

Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1200

Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryUSD 85000

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2024Read more

Rishabh Asthana

Master of Science in Computer Science - Batch of 2017

4.2

Life changing and worthwhile experience.

Tips: Before you join this university it is important to prepare beforehand regarding the course curriculum and academic requirements. If possible get a tour of the campus before you permanently move in and join whatever informative sessions are held. Part- time opportunities are not so great.

Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 6700

Prepping time for classes39 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryUSD 113750

Reviewed on 31 May 2024Read more

View All 5 Reviews

Comments

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Student Forum

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Write here...

Is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign better than the University of Chicago?

Answered 2 months ago

The University of Chicago is better than the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. As per the unofficial source, the University of Chicago ranks at #6 among national universities, whereas the UIUC stands at #36 position. Also, the University of Chicago's graduation rate is higher than that of

Nishtha Gupta

Contributor-Level 9

What are my chances of getting into the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as an international student?

Answered 2 months ago

The UIUC acceptance rate is 42% which shows the admission chances to get into UIUC is less for Indian students. Also, the university consider various factors during selection. Students who have scored good in studies and take part in extracurricular activities have high chances of selection.

Taru Bhandari

Contributor-Level 9

Does the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign accept the Common Application?

Answered 2 months ago

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign only prefers admission via official application portals (admissions.illinois.edu/apply) for UG and (grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply) for PG. International students must fulfill the basic eligibility and submit all the required documents asked by the

Jiya Chauhan

Contributor-Level 9

Overall, is Purdue University superior to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

Answered 2 months ago

Both Purdue and UIUC belong to under 50 top universities and are popular. UIUC is better based on national rankings, high graduation rates, moderate acceptance criteria, and excellent academic structure. Purdue on the other hand is more affordable than UIUC and offers a small class size experience.

Gunjan Aggrawal

Contributor-Level 9

What is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign known for?

Answered 2 months ago

The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is a popular university in the USA. It ranked #33 in national universities, #9 in top public schools, and #158 in the best value schools. It has more than 59,000 students and popular as the largest public universities by enrollment in the USA. Also, th

Jasleen Shukla

Contributor-Level 9

About the author

Tasneem Hoda

Study Abroad Expert

Tasneem Hoda is a Content Creator and Writer working for Shiksha.com. Her role includes developing and maintaining web pages for international universities at the Shiksha Study Abroad Portal, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with instit...Read Full Bio