The University of Illinois - Chicago

Date: Sep 06 2003
Major: Biology (This Major's Salary over time)
The stereotype about UIC is that it is a commuter university and that it's academics are just average. This stereotype may have been true 20 + yeras ago but this university is on the rise. The academic are improving. The faculty has a very high rate of PhD holders, I believe 94%, which is very very good. They win awards every year, as do the students. Last year (2002-2003), three UIC students were named Academic All Americans, which was tied for the most in the country with Yale. Many would be surprised by these facts. Or that UIC just recently had it's first Rhodes Scholar. These are not things that people know about UIC. It is not thought of as an academic powerhouse, but after attending it, I guarantee that it is a school on the rise. Many people equate the quality of education with the price of a school. For example, not to put any other schools down, but DePaul and Loyola are both about $20,000 in tuition, but I do not believe that they are worth that, especially comparing UIC's tuition. Head to head, I believe that UIC is either on the same level with them or better than these universities. It is still a commuter school with many of the students leaving, but this is also changing. Just this year they opened up an entirely new dorm hall. And also many more students are living near campus in apartments. I have been attending the school for only two years and already I see dramatic improvements in the neighborhood. New condominiums are being built every year. Also University Village is near it's completion. It is an entire neighborhood of new townhomes, condos and dorms. Also, Taylor Street is a great place to hang out again. Great restaurants and bars. The campus itself is not gorgeous by any means but just like other things it is improving. The campus has many more areas where students can relax, talk, or study.