Qualifying students are guaranteed to transfer to the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois. Transferring as a junior with all the credit you’ve earned at City Colleges can result in significant savings for tuition and fees. Our partnership with UIUC will also give you a clear and guided pathway to a high-quality, equitable education in engineering or computer science.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN – THE GRAINGER COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
The City Colleges of Chicago School of Engineering has established the Engineering Access Alliance in partnership with the Grainger College of Engineering. This newly-expanded partnership allows for dual admission and guaranteed transfer to your major:
Aerospace Engineering, Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Science + Bioengineering, Computer Science + Physics, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Physics, and Systems Engineering and Design. Chemical Engineering is also offered through a separate pathway.
The deadline to apply is April 5, 2025.
Engineering Access Alliance Benefits
- Guaranteed admission to your major, including Computer Science
- Dual admission—students can take classes at UIUC while at City Colleges, and pay the City Colleges tuition rate
- Early exploration of the major
- Academic and professional advising at both UIUC and City Colleges
- Summer engagement at UIUC and City Colleges, including:
- Paid summer internship
- Research opportunities
- Bridge program to build math and chemistry skills
- Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering program
- Consideration for scholarships upon successful transfer
- Cohort model creates a positive student learning experience
- Plus all the benefits of the City Colleges of Chicago School of Engineering
There are four modes of admission with this City Colleges-UIUC Transfer Pathway.
Direct Admission from High School
You must meet the following criteria for admission straight from high school:
- Mostly As and Bs in high school (GPA 3.5 or higher)
- Strong essay describing your interest in the engineering pathway
- Calculus I-ready by time of enrollment in City Colleges engineering pathway
- Proctored ALEKS score of 76 or higher
- Extracurricular activity and/or work experience
- First-time college student
- SAT/ACT scores recommended
- No U.S. residency required
Admission via the Bridge Program
Students who do not qualify for the direct admission from high school option will have an opportunity to be accepted into this pathway in August, after the satisfactory completion of the Bridge program.
Intent to Pursue
Students who miss the application deadline for the direct admission from high school option or the Bridge option can apply to this pathway after one year of Engineering Access Alliance cohort classes. Contact the City Colleges of Chicago School of Engineering for more information.
Pre-engineering Admission
Qualifying students can strengthen their STEM preparation as a first-year City Colleges student then apply for direct admission to this pathway the following year.