Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs

The Grainger College of Engineering provides a premier graduate academic experience, featuring top-ranked master’s and doctoral degrees across engineering disciplines, as well as career-advancing certificate programs.

A degree from the University of Illinois comes with a reputation for innovation, and our elite programs will challenge you to think critically and creatively in order to face pressing issues in every major industry of today’s global society. 

The Grainger Engineering community provides expert faculty and supportive resources that guide you to become an innovative leader capable of developing visionary solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.

Engineering Master’s and Doctoral Degree Programs

Grainger Engineering offers research-oriented, thesis-based master's and doctoral degree programs as well as professionally-oriented master’s programs across 13 departments and interdisciplinary units. Our students receive an elite academic experience complete with enriching coursework and research opportunities. 

Grainger Engineering graduate degrees connect you with industry leaders, including faculty members who are renowned scholar-practitioners in their fields. This expands your horizons as you learn how the engineering field can cross disciplinary boundaries in order to make an impact.

An Education with a Lifetime of Returns

The Grainger College of Engineering has consistently been recognized as a leader in engineering education. Part of this is our extensive effective preparation for life after Grainger, as evidenced by our rankings and standout placement rates for employment and advanced doctoral degrees.

17

graduate engineering degree programs are ranked in the top ten by U.S. News & World Report

94%

of students earning a master's degree secure a first destination (employment or seeking additional education).

98%

of students earning a PhD secure a first destination (employment or seeking additional education).

Why Graduate Studies at Grainger?

A graduate education from Grainger Engineering represents a lifetime of return academically, personally, and professionally. There are limitless opportunities for growth, involvement, and expansion of your skill set. 

Listen in the video as our graduate students discuss why they chose The Grainger College of Engineering for their master’s and doctoral degrees.

Dedicated to Innovation

Students and faculty at The Grainger College of Engineering are translating their findings into inventive solutions to global issues facing society across every major industry, including energy, environment, health and biology, security and defense, manufacturing, and transportation.

Impact of the Grainger Community

The breadth, scope, and influence of Grainger Engineering in terms of research, scholarship, leadership, and service activities are enormous. Grainger Engineering has more than $198 million in research expenditures, 2,000 research projects underway, 70 student-run societies and committees, and 70,000 alumni around the world.

Collaborative Study

Our multidisciplinary, world-renowned research leaders, supported by a motivated and exceptionally-gifted student base, collaborate with captains of industry, government agencies, and peer institutions in search of innovative solutions to the world's technological challenges.

Leading with Research

Research shapes our identity, stimulates classroom instruction, and serves as a springboard for public engagement activities throughout the world. Conducted independently as well as in collaboration with faculty, the research and creative projects of our graduate students increase our shared knowledge and lead to exciting discovery.

Dive into our Research Projects

World-Class Facilities

Surrounded by more than 80 research centers and labs, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus is at the center of a world-class network. Faculty and students benefit from access to state-of-the-art equipment in a highly modern environment that inspires both collaboration and creativity.

Explore our Centers & Labs

Graduate Tuition & Financial Aid

A Grainger Engineering education is an investment in a rewarding future, and we want to ensure you are supported in the pursuit of your goals. Accordingly, the University of Illinois provides a vast array of financial support opportunities to graduate students through departmental support, fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.

Learn More about Graduate Tuition & Financial Aid

Five-Year Ph.D. Funding Guarantee

Beginning with the Fall 2020 semester, Grainger Engineering Ph.D. students in their first five years of enrollment are guaranteed a funded appointment for fall and spring that includes a full tuition waiver, a partial fee waiver, and a stipend. Students are also eligible for summer support. Students must remain in Good Academic Standing and successfully perform the duties of their assistantships to continue to receive funding.

Learn More about the Ph.D. Funding Guarantee

Discover Urbana-Champaign

A small town feel with big city resources, Urbana-Champaign offers the best of both worlds. Ranked #2 among national peer institutions for cost-of-living, Urbana-Champaign is more than a great college town. It's a place to call home—and where people come together to bring big ideas to life. All of this comes together to make our “micro-urban” community a special place to live, work, and study.

Get to Know Urbana-Champaign

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