Why Choose CEE
EXPLORE
CEE AT ILLINOIS
Clean air, water and energy. Artificial Intelligence. Disaster prevention. Big data.
Autonomous vehicles. Towering skyscrapers and iconic bridges.
Civilization.
Join our top-ranked program and prepare to change the world.
Prospective Students
Welcome to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Grainger College of Engineering!
You have a big decision ahead of you, and speaking with people who have been in your shoes can help you make your choice. Join us for an upcoming panel to hear from CEE at Illinois students and ask questions about their experiences.
View the upcoming virtual chat schedule at right, or visit Grainger Engineering to learn about more in-person options and virtual events for prospective undergraduate students.
FALL VIRTUAL EVENTS
Student Chats
Watch a live presentation about the civil and environmental engineering undergraduate program. Hear from staff and chat with current students to learn about their experiences and what you can expect as a new CEE student.
- Thursday, September 16, 2021 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- Wednesday, October 20, 2021 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- Tuesday, November 16, 2021 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Register for one or more sessions here:
Let's make this happen.
We know college is expensive, and we want to help.
The University of Illinois, Grainger College of Engineering and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering all have options to make affording college easier.
Free tuition for qualified in-state students
Four years. Free tuition. That's the Illinois Commitment.
The University of Illinois will cover tuition and fees for up to four years for all in-state students who meet eligibility requirements. Find out if you qualify at the University of Illinois Office of Student Financial Aid.
Illinois Promise (I-Promise) Scholarship
Illinois Promise is a scholarship awarded to newly admitted students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who have the greatest amount of financial need. The scholarship is designed to cover a student’s cost of attendance including tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies. Find out more on the I-Promise website:
CEE at Illinois scholarships, fellowships and awards
CEE at Illinois awards more than 100 scholarships, fellowships and other awards to CEE students each year, including some specifically for newly admitted students (admitted students are automatically considered for any scholarships for which they are eligible). Moving forward, students apply for CEE scholarships on an annual basis.
Undergraduates who are interested in working with faculty on research projects may be approved for a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) project. Students are eligible for two semesters of REU during their undergraduate studies and will earn an hourly rate for their work.
University of Illinois and Grainger College aid
The University of Illinois Office of Student Financial Aid can help you find the resources necessary to attend the university. Information about scholarships, need-based grants, waivers and more can be found on their website, as well as the financial aid application form.
The Grainger College of Engineering also has support available for eligible engineering students, including merit-based scholarships for incoming freshmen. Learn more about scholarships and awards available from the college on the Grainger website.
There are many employment opportunities for students, including work study and on-campus hourly positions. Learn more about these options on the Office of Student Financial Aid website.
CEE also offers paid research opportunities for students to work with in labs with faculty on their research projects. Read about CEE's Research Experience for Undergraduates program to learn more.
Take a tour and see what Illinois has to offer.
Explore CEE at Illinois
Take a photo tour of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Take a Campus Tour
Illinois has a variety of tour options, including a Virtual Reality experience.
What will you learn at CEE?
For more than 150 years, CEE at Illinois has been educating the best engineers in the world. Our curriculum falls into six broad categories, which are explained in short video clips by some members of the CEE faculty:
Fundamentals
Rigorous core courses will provide complete knowledge of the fundamentals of civil and environmental engineering.
Big Data & Computational Skills
Coding, computational and modeling skills for design/decision-making are taught from freshman through senior years.
Experiential Learning
A focus on hands-on learning will lead to a deep understanding of real-life application of engineering concepts.
Communication
An emphasis on communication will prepare students for professions that take them from project sites to boardrooms.
Critical Thinking
Our students learn how to arrive at a solution by thinking critically about a problem rather than simply memorizing a formula.
Entrepreneurship
By fostering innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship, the world of professional possibilities is wide open.
Data Science + CEE Disciplines
New undergraduate certificate option and non-thesis Master's track
combine data science, CEE core disciplines.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
CEE at Illinois graduates are highly sought-after by employers in industry, government and academia. We offer students academic training, professional development and recruitment opportunities so that they graduate fully prepared for the workplace, with the world at their feet.
Mean Starting
Salary for CEE
Graduates
$65,035
38% reported receiving a signing bonus*
First Destination
Secured for Graduating CEE Seniors
99%
50% employed, 49% continuing ed*
Fundamentals of
Engineering Exam
Pass Rate
94.5%
National pass rate is 68%.
* 2019-2020 Illinois Success Survey
Make friends. Have fun. Learn something new.
Whether you want to build bridges, race a concrete canoe, network with industry professionals, design a net-zero solar home, share and discuss research or just have fun with fellow students, there's a group for you. Student organizations provide a chance to make new friends, have a good time, and learn something outside of the classroom or lab settings.
“The CEE program felt like family. I feel so connected to the program thanks to all the wonderful faculty and staff as well as the students that have become friends for life.”
Alexa, CEE at Illinois Class of 2020
Research for students at every level.
CEE students have numerous opportunities to conduct research, both in the classroom and out of it. The Research Experience for Undergraduates program provides hands-on, paid experience working directly with faculty and researchers on projects.
Global Experiences.
In recent years, CEE at Illinois students have visited Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Johannesburg, Seoul, Ireland, Bucharest, Nepal and India for coursework, research and study abroad programs. If you are interested in learning more about global challenges first-hand, there are many opportunities to do so.
Outstanding Faculty
The faculty of CEE at Illinois includes world-class experts in all areas of study. They are leaders in their fields, yet remain highly accessible to and involved with their students.
Learn about the faculty who teach in your area(s) of interest.
Hear from CEE alumni.
Hear from people who have already gone through the program! Discussion panels featuring CEE at Illinois alumni talking about their experiences at Illinois and how CEE helped prepare them for professional life are available for viewing below.
Alumni Panel: April 1, 2021
Alumni Panel: April 29, 2021
More Questions?
Becky Stillwell
Senior Academic Adviser
1102 Newmark Civil Engineering Lab
205 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3812
rborden@illinois.edu
Advising Appointments:
To register for an advising appointment with Becky, CEE undergraduates can visit: Advising Calendar
Apply Now
Become part of a tradition of excellence: of groundbreaking research, historic firsts, and future promise.