Is UIS University of Illinois Springfield a good school?

[Maintainschaos]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

I'm not a big research school guy, myself. I spent some time at one, but transferred to a smaller regional school.

That's just it: if you're not into research, then you don't realize that next to University of Wisconsin and the University of California system, it's one of the best public universities in the country for research and one of the top in the world in things like engineering, chemistry, library sciences (yes, even library sciences!). Many of the other SEtern states you mentioned can't hold their own in terms of the amount of research and available instrumentation comparatively. Having its roots as an ag. school, UIUC's attention wasn't really focused on liberal arts which is why I think it hurts it in the rankings somewhat (especially next to a comparable school like Michigan).

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by asearchforreason

It depends on your particular area. In terms of engineering, U of I is known worldwide as one of the top universities while schools like UVA, Carolina, and W & M fall off of the list. I can't speak for Law, Medicine or any liberal arts but I understand engineering is really U of I's core.

Yep. That's the point. It's all about your focus. To label a school as superior across the board without taking specialties into account is wrong-headed. I was basing my statements on overall rankings since this was a general discussion. I also wasn't trying to marginalize UIUC. I was just trying to add some perspective.

[Maintainschaos]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

Yep. That's the point. It's all about your focus. To label a school as superior across the board without taking specialties into account is wrong-headed. I was basing my statements on overall rankings since this was a general discussion. I also wasn't trying to marginalize UIUC. I was just trying to add some perspective.

I agree with you there. Also, from my experience, an undergrad degree isn't how much you pay for it; rather, it's what you get out of it. They're fairly similar across the board from Harvard to UIS.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by Maintainschaos

That's just it: if you're not into research, then you don't realize that next to University of Wisconsin and the University of California system, it's one of the best public universities in the country for research and one of the top in the world in things like engineering, chemistry, library sciences (yes, even library sciences!). Many of the other SEtern states you mentioned can't hold their own in terms of the amount of research and available instrumentation comparatively. Having its roots as an ag. school, UIUC's attention wasn't really focused on liberal arts which is why I think it hurts it in the rankings somewhat (especially next to a comparable school like Michigan).

Well, I never said I wasn't into research. I'm not into big research universities for undergrad. They perform a great service as a place for innovation and exploration.

I realize the value and importance of the research done by UIUC and lots of other schools (though I think you underestimate the quality of the research done in SEtern states, somewhat. GA, NC, and VA, among other states, all have solid and growing research programs.)

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by Maintainschaos

I agree with you there. Also, from my experience, an undergrad degree isn't how much you pay for it; rather, it's what you get out of it. They're fairly similar across the board from Harvard to UIS.

On that we can definitely agree. You can find quality (or the lack of quality!) anywhere if you look hard enough.

[Maintainschaos]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

Well, I never said I wasn't into research. I'm not into big research universities for undergrad. They perform a great service as a place for innovation and exploration.

I realize the value and importance of the research done by UIUC and lots of other schools (though I think you underestimate the quality of the research done in SEtern states, somewhat. GA, NC, and VA, among other states, all have solid and growing research programs.)

I never said anything about quality...I only talked about quantity

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by Maintainschaos

I never said anything about quality...I only talked about quantity

Right on. I think some of those southern schools might be on the way to catching up in that regard, too.

[illini84]

U of I Champaign is ranked overall as:
-One of the top 50 national universities (2008 U.S. News and World Report)
-One of the top 10 public national universities (2008 U.S. News and World Report)
-Eighth in "100 Best Values in Public Colleges" (2006 Kiplingers's Personal Finance)
-One of the top colleges for top students (Peterson's Competitive Colleges)

-The Graduate School of Library and Information Science's program is tied for 1st in the nation.
-The College of Engineering is ranked 5th (tie) in undergraduate and 5th in graduate programs nationally.
-The College of Business is ranked 12th in undergraduate nationally.
-The College of Education is ranked 25th in graduate programs nationally.
-The College of Law is ranked 25th (tie) in professional programs nationally.
-The Ph.D. Chemistry program is ranked 7th (tie) nationally.
-The Master of Fine Arts program is listed among the top 25 in the country.
-The Master of Music program is tied for 6th in the nation.

U.S. News and World Report is a pretty standard guide for college rankings. UIS isn't ranked in anything whatsoever.

[breer23]

Originally Posted by illini84

U.S. News and World Report is a pretty standard guide for college rankings. UIS isn't ranked in anything whatsoever.

Realize, though, that UIS hasn't been a four-year branch of the U of I for much more than ten years (1995). Prior to that, it was Sangamon State University, which opened in 1969 as a regionally reputable, but very small, local university. While I'm not saying whether it is or is not a good school to attend, I think it's a little early to worry about making it into the national rankings - revisit this in 30 to 50 years and then see where it might be ranked. UIS is still a toddler in the overall scheme of small to mid-sized research institutions.

About UIS - University of Illinois at Springfield - UIS

[dangaines1]

Originally Posted by ian in socal

Dan,

As a graduate of UIS, I may be a little biased, but I felt it was a great school to attend. The professors were excellent, and the degree actually says University of Illinois with "at Springfield" in smaller letters below.

A degree is a degree, no matter what school it comes from. I have no knowledge of the masters program considering I moved to CA soon after graduation (I do hold a good position with AT&T, so the degree must be o.k.!).

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Thank You Ian, I Totally agree with you and I am currently attending UIS and I'm loving it. I enjoy my classes and my professors! Thanks!