Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)

The Illinois Institute of Technology teaches students what "you really need to know...in the professional world." That means that coursework is "very challenging but rewarding," and that rigor is well-matched by "a lot of support available" from the faculty, the administration, and the "student culture of helping each other." This support is underpinned by the school's relatively small size, which allows for "lots of close peer interaction" and "a lot of attention from faculty." Incoming students can expect to jump right into hands-on learning. As one student says, "[In] my very first electrical engineering class, I got to build an autonomous robot car!" The opportunities for hands-on learning only increase during your time at Illinois Tech. For example, every student is required to complete the Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) Program. As the school explains, IPRO "joins students from various majors to work together to solve real-world problems, often on behalf of sponsor companies and nonprofits." Students say the IPRO courses "are a cool way to get involved in innovative projects" and they enjoy collaborating with their classmates. Students also praise Illinois Tech for its "great networking opportunities with great companies in Chicago" and the fact that just about "everyone gets scholarships." They feel confident stepping out into the job market knowing that "the curriculum is adapted to current technologies and is frequently updated to reflect what is necessary within the workforce."

Illinois Tech draws a hardworking and collaborative crowd. It’s a community where “everyone is willing to help each other” and “homework is often completed in groups.” Incoming students can expect to join a group of “highly intelligent individuals who are passionate about school.” In other words, “people study for fun.” For this group, that’s a feature, not a bug. As one student says, “I love how much all of my peers care about school. I also love that even though many of my friends are different majors, we are all still STEM majors.” Illinois Tech has many international students and students from the Chicago area, as well as classmates who “come from all over the country.” The result is a diverse group of people who all have unique interests. While the student body, as a whole, would not be called extroverted, classmates will come out of their shells “when prompted with conversation.” As one student elaborates, “For the most part, [my peers] simply require an icebreaker to uncover everything.” Once you get them talking, it’s easy to be inspired by this “creative and innovative” group.

This “compact but not cramped” walkable campus is “pretty convenient,” and architecture majors especially appreciate studying on a “masterpiece campus” designed by the famous architect Mies Van der Rohe. When it comes to extracurriculars, students note that there’s not that much variety—although students do have “freedom and autonomy” to pursue their passions, hence organizations like the comedy club, the community radio station, and the esports club. Just as students tend to be “academically driven,” so too do most clubs represent professional interests, such as the Women in STEM group, the pre-med student organizations, and the chemistry club. Many students are involved in athletics and “intramural sports are always something to be excited about.” Students note that “Greek Life here is very relaxed and feels more like a community.” When students get a break from studying, they can hang out at the Bog, the on-campus “arcade/bowling alley/bar.” The school’s own train stop (and free transit pass for students) makes for easy public transit throughout Chicago, whether you want to eat, see a concert, or visit a museum. There’s “also a beach a mile from campus, with bike/running trails to spend time on.” Ultimately students acknowledge that “you get out what you put in” and for those who “make an effort to be social and take part in any of the many activities on campus, community is flourishing and welcoming.”

According to many students, ITT “is very focused on getting students placed in jobs after commencement.” To this end, Career Services hosts several career fairs and on-campus recruiting events throughout the year. They also offer a variety of services from day one, including career development/peer career coaching, workshops, and mock interviews. Students can join The Bridge—IIT’s online networking platform that connects alumni and students to create mentorship opportunities—or can take the semi-annual Career Crash Course and brush up on their professional development and networking skills in one compact day. Academic departments also help students apply for experiential learning opportunities such as internships, co-ops, and research opportunities in relevant fields. IIT’s proximity to downtown Chicago is a huge plus for employment and internship opportunities. ITT students are go-getters—“almost every student either has a job concurrent with their classes or is working on a personal project of some sort.” This drive pays off—of the ITT alumni visiting PayScale.com, the average reported median starting salary is $77,300, and 51 percent report that they derive a high level of meaning from their jobs.