Study in Champaign, The United States

About Champaign

Champaign is a city in Illinois that forms a twin city with neighbouring Urbana. Together they are known as Champaign-Urbana, a university community whose foreign-born residents come from at least 76 countries, according to the City of Champaign. The city lies within reach of Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis.

For international students, Champaign offers a calmer, more affordable setting than a big city, with a large public research university on its doorstep and a community college that can serve as a first step towards a bachelor's degree.

Studying in Champaign

Our directory lists one school in Champaign: Parkland College, a public two-year college that has been teaching since 1966. It offers vocational-technical and academic programmes, enrols approximately 12,000 students a year (College Navigator gives a student population of 6,014) and has students aged from 16 to 86, with a growing international presence. Parkland has its own pages for international students and a "Pathway to UIUC" transfer route.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), founded in 1867, shares its campus between Champaign and Urbana. It is a public university with 59,238 students, 37,140 of them undergraduates, according to College Navigator.

The two institutions illustrate a common US route. EducationUSA explains that community colleges offer two-year programmes leading to an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree, and that in the "2+2" process you can earn a bachelor's degree with two years at a community college followed by two years at a university.

Student visa

An F student visa covers study at an accredited US college or university, including community colleges. Once accepted at an SEVP-certified school, you receive a Form I-20 (or a DS-2019 for J exchange programmes) from its international student office. International students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Cost of living for students

Starting at a community college can lower the cost of a bachelor's degree. For the 2024-25 academic year, College Navigator gives these figures:

• Parkland College: $13,266 tuition and fees for out-of-state students ($4,284 for residents of the college district); the college has no campus housing, and off-campus food and housing is estimated at $9,400
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: $35,124 tuition and fees for out-of-state students, $14,522 food and housing on campus

International students should check with each school which rate applies to them before applying.

Getting around and daily life

Champaign is a mid-sized university city, and student life centres on the campus areas shared with Urbana. Cultural life includes the Krannert Center for Performing Arts, Big Ten university sports, arts festivals and live music, and the city has more than 60 parks. For longer trips, Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis are the nearest large cities.

Winters are cold and summers hot. At the Champaign 3S station, the 1991-2020 normals of NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information give an average of 25.7 °F (about -3 °C) in January, with daily highs of 33.5 °F (about 1 °C), and 75.2 °F (about 24 °C) in July, with highs of 85.2 °F (about 30 °C).

Frequently asked questions

Which colleges are in Champaign?

Our directory lists Parkland College, a public community college. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also has its campus in Champaign and Urbana.

Can I start at Parkland College and transfer to the University of Illinois?

Parkland offers a "Pathway to UIUC" transfer route. In general, EducationUSA describes the "2+2" process: two years at a community college followed by two years at a university to earn a bachelor's degree.

How much does Parkland College cost?

For 2024-25, College Navigator lists tuition and fees of $13,266 for out-of-state students. Parkland has no campus housing; off-campus food and housing is estimated at $9,400 a year.

Can international students study at a community college?

Yes. An F student visa covers study at an accredited college or university, and community colleges that are SEVP-certified can issue the Form I-20.