Illinois College is a private, coeducational liberal arts institution based in Jacksonville, Illinois. Founded in 1829, it ranks #111 in the National Liberal Arts Colleges list, as per US News 2026.
The institution operates 31 English-medium undergraduate programs across humanities, sciences, nursing, business, and pre-professional streams. Indian students enter through Fall (August) or Spring (January) intakes each academic year. Popular majors include Business Administration, Nursing, Computer Science, Psychology, Accounting, and Biology, with a test-optional admissions policy that eases access for international applicants.
- Ranking: #111 in National Liberal Arts Colleges, as per US News 2026
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Intakes: Fall (August) and Spring (January)
- UG tuition 2026-2027: USD 40,290 per year (INR 38.07 lakh per year)
- Enrolment: 925 undergraduates, student-faculty ratio 11:1
- Median starting salary: USD 40,900 (INR 38.65 lakh) for Accounting graduates, as per Illinois College data
Also Check: Study in USA Guide for Indian Students
Illinois College guarantees every enrolled international student a minimum USD 20,000 renewable merit scholarship at Illinois College. Institutional aid averages nearly 90% of first-year tuition, as per the official Tuition page. Indian applicants need an F-1 visa to enter the US and must budget for on-campus living beyond published tuition, with the full F-1 student visa process for Indian applicants confirmed on the country visa page.
Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 94.5 as of September 2026
Admission Status: Open (Fall 2027 intake). Illinois College accepts applications on a rolling basis, with the Early Action deadline set at November 30, 2026 and the Regular Admission priority date at February 28, 2027. The National Candidate Reply Date is May 1, 2027, after which spring admits should target the Spring 2027 rolling window.
Table of Contents
- Popular Courses and Fees at Illinois College 2027
- Illinois College Admission 2027
- Illinois College Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- Illinois College Acceptance Rate 2027
- Illinois College Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- Illinois College Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- Illinois College Scholarships 2027
- Illinois College Rankings 2027
- Illinois College Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
- Illinois College vs Peer Universities
- Illinois College FAQs
Popular Courses and Fees at Illinois College 2027
Illinois College charges a flat annual tuition across all 31 undergraduate majors, so total fees scale with programme length. Most bachelor programmes run four years, while the pre-engineering 3-2 track spans five years across Illinois College and a partner engineering school.
Top Bachelor Programmes at Illinois College
The table lists popular Indian-applicant choices in Business, STEM, Nursing, and pre-professional streams. All figures reflect base tuition only and use the 2026-2027 academic year rate.
| Programme | Total Tuition (USD) | Total Tuition (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | USD 161,160 (4 years) | 152.30 lakh | Class 12 with 75% (recommended); SAT 1040 (recommended) |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | USD 161,160 (4 years) | 152.30 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended); PCM background preferred |
| Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration | USD 161,160 (4 years) | 152.30 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended); SAT 1040 (recommended) |
| Bachelor of Arts in Accounting | USD 161,160 (4 years) | 152.30 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended); Maths preferred |
| Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | USD 161,160 (4 years) | 152.30 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended); SAT 1040 (recommended) |
| Bachelor of Science in Biology | USD 161,160 (4 years) | 152.30 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended); PCB background preferred |
| Bachelor of Science in Engineering (3-2 Program) | USD 120,870 (3 years at IC) | 114.22 lakh | Class 12 with 75% in PCM (recommended); transfer year 4-5 |
| Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science | USD 161,160 (4 years) | 152.30 lakh | Class 12 with 75% (recommended); Maths mandatory |
[Source: Illinois College Tuition schedule 2026-2027]
Insider note: Indian applicants most often pick Nursing, Business, Computer Science, and Accounting at Illinois College, with Accounting delivering the highest first-year starting salary at USD 40,900.
Read More: Illinois College Fees and Programmes Guide
Illinois College Admission 2027
Illinois College accepts applications year-round on a rolling basis, with published Early Action and Regular Admission priority dates each cycle. Indian students should target the Fall 2027 intake through the IC application portal, Common App, or Coalition.
| Milestone | Date | Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action deadline (Fall 2027) | November 30, 2026 | Earliest decision round; non-binding for international applicants |
| Regular Admission priority (Fall 2027) | February 28, 2027 | Meet this date for full scholarship consideration |
| Scholarship consideration deadline | February 15, 2027 | Priority date for International Merit and #YouAreWelcomeHere awards |
| National Candidate Reply Date | May 1, 2027 | Final date to accept the offer and pay the enrolment deposit |
| Fall 2027 programme start | August 2027 | Orientation for international students runs a week earlier |
[Source: Illinois College Office of Admission]
Planning note: Indian applicants should submit the Certificate of Finances form and passport copy at the time of application, since the college issues Form I-20 only after financial verification.
Read More: Illinois College Admissions Guide for Indian Students
Illinois College Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
Indian applicants apply as first-year undergraduates or transfer students and must meet minimum academic and English proficiency thresholds published by the college.
- Academic: Class 12 with 70% or higher (recommended); official transcripts in English
- Standardised tests: SAT 1040 (recommended) or ACT 20 (recommended); test-optional policy applies
- English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79 (0-120 legacy scale) / 4.5 (1-6 scale), IELTS 6.5, PTE 53, or Duolingo English Test 110
- Documentation: Certificate of Finances, passport copy, letters of recommendation (optional), personal essay
Key insight: The English requirement can be waived if Indian applicants show that their high-school medium of instruction was English, in which case SAT 1040 or ACT 20 substitutes for the proficiency test, as per the official International Admission Requirements page.
Illinois College Acceptance Rate 2027
Illinois College has an acceptance rate of 78%, as per US News Best Colleges 2026. The rate reflects the college’s test-optional and access-oriented admissions philosophy for both domestic and international applicants.
Admitted first-year students carry an average high-school GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale, with SAT scores clustered above the 1040 recommended floor. Indian applicants who meet the academic, English, and financial documentation thresholds have a strong probability of admission.
Reality check: A 78% acceptance rate does not guarantee entry for weak files; the Certificate of Finances and English proof are the most common rejection triggers for Indian first-year applicants.
Read More: Illinois College Acceptance Rate
Illinois College Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
Total annual cost of attendance at Illinois College for the 2026-2027 academic year sits at USD 54,546 (INR 51.55 lakh), covering tuition, housing, dining, health insurance, and fees.
Illinois College Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2026-2027
Tuition covers instruction and textbooks through the college rental programme, with technology and activity fees billed separately.
| Component | Annual Cost (USD) | Annual Cost (INR lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| UG tuition (includes textbooks) | USD 40,290 | 38.07 lakh |
| Technology and activity fees | USD 700 | 0.66 lakh |
| Housing (residence hall double) | USD 5,840 | 5.52 lakh |
| Dining (full meal plan) | USD 5,716 | 5.40 lakh |
| Health insurance (required) | USD 2,000 | 1.89 lakh |
| Total annual cost | USD 54,546 | 51.55 lakh |
[Source: Illinois College official Cost of Attendance 2026-2027]
Monthly Cost of Living in Jacksonville for Indian Students
Jacksonville is a small town in central Illinois, so day-to-day costs stay well below coastal-city averages that most Indian students research first.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus housing | USD 487 | 0.46 lakh |
| Food and dining plan | USD 476 | 0.45 lakh |
| Transportation | USD 60 (estimated) | 0.06 lakh (estimated) |
| Books and supplies | Included in tuition | Included in tuition |
| Personal and utilities | USD 200 (estimated) | 0.19 lakh (estimated) |
| Monthly total | USD 1,223 (estimated) | 1.16 lakh (estimated) |
[Source: Illinois College official housing and dining rates 2026-2027; personal and transport figures estimated from small-town Illinois averages]
Insider note: Illinois College charges USD 15 per day for on-campus stays during semester breaks if the student’s home address is beyond 500 miles, which most Indian students use to avoid renting an off-campus room over Christmas and summer.
Read More: Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students
Illinois College Campus, Facilities and Student Life
The 62-acre campus sits in Jacksonville, Illinois, a small residential town roughly 70 miles west of Springfield and 4 hours by road from Chicago.
- Location and transit: Central Illinois setting; the nearest large airport is St Louis Lambert, around 90 miles south
- Housing: On-campus residence halls at USD 5,840 to USD 8,300 per year; guaranteed for all four undergraduate years
- Textbooks and library: All textbooks included in tuition through the IC rental programme, alongside the Schewe Library
- Indian community: Small but active international cohort supported by a dedicated international student counsellor
What Indian students say: The small class sizes and personal faculty attention are the strongest positives; the trade-off is limited off-campus nightlife and reliance on the college shuttle for grocery and mall runs.
Illinois College Scholarships 2027
Illinois College guarantees a scholarship to every admitted international student, with two named funding tracks covering merit and intercultural leadership.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Student Scholarship | Merit, renewable | USD 20,000 to USD 25,000 per year (INR 18.90 to 23.63 lakh per year) | Admitted international students with strong academics | February 15, 2027 |
| #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship | Leadership, renewable | USD 2,000 to USD 5,000 per year (INR 1.89 to 4.73 lakh per year) | Two awards; intercultural leadership demonstrated in high school | February 15, 2027 |
[Source: Illinois College Costs and Scholarships page]
Planning note: The combined Illinois College awards typically cover at least 50% of annual tuition, but the February 15, 2027 priority date is strict; late files still get admission but often lose the top scholarship band.
Read More: Illinois College Scholarships Guide
Illinois College Rankings 2027
Illinois College is ranked #111 in National Liberal Arts Colleges and #9 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, as per US News Best Colleges 2026.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Previous Edition | Two Editions Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| US News National Liberal Arts | 2026: #111 | 2024: #124 | 2023: #140 |
| US News Social Mobility (Top Performers) | 2026: #9 | NA | NA |
| QS World University Rankings | 2027: Not ranked | 2026: Not ranked | 2025: Not ranked |
| THE World University Rankings | 2026: Not ranked | 2025: Not ranked | 2024: Not ranked |
| ARWU Shanghai Rankings | 2026: Not ranked | 2025: Not ranked | 2024: Not ranked |
[Source: US News Best Colleges 2026, QS, THE, ARWU]
The US News trajectory from #140 (2023) to #111 (2026) reflects a 29-place gain in three years. Small liberal arts colleges in the US are not evaluated by QS, THE, or ARWU, whose methodologies index research volume and graduate output.
Key insight: Indian applicants and Indian employers should read the US News National Liberal Arts list as the correct benchmark here; the absence from QS or THE reflects category fit, not academic weakness.
Read More: Illinois College Rankings Analysis
Illinois College Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
Illinois College graduates earn a median salary of USD 52,575 (INR 49.68 lakh) ten years after graduation, as per the US Department of Education College Scorecard.
- Median mid-career salary: USD 52,575 (INR 49.68 lakh) ten years post-graduation
- Top starting salary majors: Accounting at USD 40,900 (INR 38.65 lakh), followed by Nursing and Computer Science
- Career support: The IC Advantage Plus programme guarantees each student a paid internship, research experience, or study abroad by graduation
- Post-study work: F-1 graduates qualify for 12-month OPT, extended to 36 months for STEM majors like Computer Science and Biology
Insider note: Indian graduates in Accounting, Nursing, and Actuarial Science typically convert OPT into H-1B sponsorship faster than liberal arts majors because these fields have clear employer visa pipelines.
Illinois College vs Peer Universities
Peers below are US private liberal arts colleges of comparable enrolment and acceptance rate that Indian applicants shortlist alongside Illinois College.
| University | US News National Liberal Arts 2026 | Acceptance Rate | Annual Tuition (USD) | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois College | #111 | 78% | USD 40,290 | Guaranteed USD 20,000 international scholarship |
| Knox College | NA | NA | Comparable range (estimated) | Illinois liberal arts peer with strong sciences |
| Monmouth College | NA | NA | Comparable range (estimated) | Small Illinois campus with pre-med track |
| Augustana College | NA | NA | Comparable range (estimated) | Larger Illinois liberal arts college |
| Millikin University | NA | NA | Comparable range (estimated) | Central Illinois; performing arts focus |
Illinois College stands out on the guaranteed scholarship floor and the #9 Social Mobility ranking, both rare among peer Illinois liberal arts colleges.
Indian applicants who want a larger cohort or urban setting should also weigh universities in USA or the broader MS universities in USA shortlist before finalising.
Illinois College is the right fit for Indian students who want a small, high-touch liberal arts environment, undergraduate teaching by faculty rather than TAs, and a guaranteed scholarship that pulls the total four-year outlay well below the USD 52,575 mid-career salary median. The Accounting, Nursing, and Computer Science tracks give the clearest OPT-to-H1B path for Indian graduates.
It is not the fit for students who need a large research university, a coastal-city campus, or Ivy-tier brand recognition. Those Indian applicants should instead compare peer MS universities in USA or larger Midwest state universities in the same fee band.
Illinois College FAQs
Ques. Does Illinois College offer any graduate or masters programmes?
Ans. Illinois College is an undergraduate-only institution offering 31 bachelor programmes across humanities, sciences, nursing, and business. There are no masters, MBA, or PhD offerings on the Jacksonville campus. Indian students seeking postgraduate study in Illinois usually target the University of Illinois system or Illinois Institute of Technology after finishing the IC bachelor programme.
Ques. Can Indian students work part-time while studying at Illinois College?
Ans. F-1 visa holders at Illinois College can work up to 20 hours per week on campus during term and 40 hours per week during breaks. Off-campus work is restricted and typically permitted only through Curricular Practical Training after the first academic year. The college advertises campus jobs in dining, the library, and the Schewe Library help desks.
Ques. Is the SAT or ACT mandatory for Indian applicants to Illinois College?
Ans. Illinois College follows a test-optional policy, so SAT or ACT is not mandatory for Indian applicants. However, a submitted SAT of 1040 or ACT of 20 helps in scholarship consideration and can also waive the TOEFL requirement if the medium of high-school instruction was English. Test-optional applicants must submit strong transcripts and recommendations instead.
Ques. What is the application fee for Illinois College?
Ans. Illinois College charges no application fee, regardless of whether the applicant uses the IC application portal, Common App, or Coalition. Admitted students pay a USD 50 enrolment deposit to confirm their place after receiving the offer. Indian applicants also budget for the SEVIS I-901 fee and the F-1 visa application fee separately during the I-20 stage.
Ques. Which Indian education loan lenders recognise Illinois College?
Ans. HDFC Credila, Avanse, Auxilo, and Prodigy Finance sanction education loans for Illinois College undergraduate admits with a valid I-20. Public-sector lenders like SBI and Bank of Baroda accept it under their study-abroad schemes if the applicant provides collateral. Loan amounts typically cover the full cost of attendance up to USD 54,546 per year after the international scholarship is netted off.
Ques. Are letters of recommendation mandatory for Illinois College?
Ans. Letters of recommendation are optional but strongly encouraged at Illinois College for Indian applicants. A single recommendation from a Class 11 or 12 subject teacher or school counsellor is enough to strengthen the file. The college weighs the personal essay, transcripts, and interview more heavily than the count of letters submitted.
Ques. How does Illinois College verify Indian transcripts?
Ans. Illinois College accepts official Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and school-attested transcripts directly from Indian schools, without mandatory WES or ECE evaluation for first-year admission. Transfer applicants with prior Indian college credits are asked to complete a course-by-course WES or ECE evaluation. All documents must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.
Ques. Can Indian students bring dependents on the F-1 visa at Illinois College?
Ans. Indian F-1 students at Illinois College can bring spouses and unmarried children under 21 on the F-2 dependent visa. The college issues Form I-20 for each dependent after the student submits proof of additional financial support covering their living costs. F-2 dependents cannot work in the US but can enrol in K-12 school or part-time study.
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Illinois College Reviews
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Overview
I chose to study at IC because of the scholarships I received, the location, and the faculty to student ratio. I came from a small high school, so I wanted to go to a college that was not going to be too overwhelming in size.
Fees
Since Illinois College is a private liberal arts institution, the tuition and fees are the same for every student regardless of where they live. Tuition is high, but the college is good about giving academic scholarships to help with affordability.
Illinois College Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novus Biological Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student₹ 1.4 L/Yr$1,500 | Level Of StudyAssociate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Washington DC Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Claes Isacson Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 19.1 L/Yr$20,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeNeed-Based | |
| TEC Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 95,580/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| BeArt Presets-Academic Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 2.4 L/Yr$2,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 95,580/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
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Illinois College Admissions
Early Action Deadlines
Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Illinois College Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1336 | 1071 | 265 | - |
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