Judson University
Elgin, Illinois
Thirty-six miles from downtown Chicago, Judson’s wooded, riverside campus puts small-college attention within reach of a global city. Students learn in close-knit classes and then step into studios, clinics, and internships shaped by Chicagoland’s arts, tech, healthcare, and nonprofit networks.
A signature landmark sits at the heart of campus: the Harm A. Weber Academic Center (HAWAC)—a LEED Gold, 88,000-square-foot home to the library and School of Art, Design & Architecture. It’s one of the most energy-efficient academic buildings of its kind and a daily reminder of how Judson ties ideas to practice.
At Judson, students thrive within an active campus community, creating friendships and experiences that go on to last a lifetime.
Get to know Judson University
College Highlights
Learning here moves quickly from theory to application. Across majors, courses build in labs, practicums, simulations, client projects, and internships so students practice their craft in real settings and collect work they can show—without waiting until senior year. Advising and program sequences help map those touchpoints across fall, spring, and summer.
Examples surface all over campus. In Sport Management, undergraduates complete a senior internship with partners like the Windy City Bulls and regional clubs, bridging coursework to the sports marketplace. And in Exercise Science, outcomes and experiential learning are baked into the curriculum. Architecture and interior design students work in HAWAC’s studio environment and benefit from the program’s Chicago adjacency and mentoring culture.
STUDY ABROAD
Judson sees an amazing value in study abroad and encourages all students to taste, touch, and feel the experiences that lie in other cultures. Students who study abroad often develop a greater sense of independence, learning to navigate and excel in cross-cultural communication. Judson students have studied abroad in several different countries, such as Austria, Japan, Russia, and more. The opportunities are endless, as interested students can find the perfect trip for them through the Council of Christian Colleges and various external programs.
THE CHICAGO SEMESTER
Judson offers its students the opportunity to engage in prolonged off-campus study in the city of Chicago. Participants of the Chicago Semester program take part in an intensive internship experience, learning the ins and outs of an industry by delving into the processes within this major city center. Aside from professional development, students have the chance to test their independence and grow through an exploration of all the cultural attractions that Chicago has to offer. In addition to the internship, students are expected to take and pass two seminars over the course of the semester. This means that the Chicago Semester is academically demanding, but it is immensely rewarding to those who participate.
ON A MISSION
Every year, Judson offers students the chance to go on a variety of mission trips during spring break, Christmas break, and the summer intersession. Students who attend Judson are always in touch with many opportunities to serve, whether that take place locally in the U.S. or abroad in Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, or the Caribbean.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 20%
Hispanic/Latine: 27%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 9%
White, non-Hispanic: 34%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 1%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 7%
Classes are small enough for feedback that lands fast and specifically. Faculty design assignments that look like the work graduates will meet off campus, and they stay accessible for the follow-up conversations that sharpen judgment.
Mentorship is visible in the professional programs. For example, Architecture faculty teach in a studio model inside HAWAC, where students iterate alongside professors who hold terminal degrees; across majors, instructors connect students to Chicago-area sites for observation, service, and internships. Those rhythms make it easy to see progress from one semester to the next.
THE HONORS PROGRAM
The Honors Program is an accelerated track best suited for students who are seeking an academic challenge. Those enrolled in the program are part of learning experience that takes place both in and out of the classroom, continually on their pursuit of knowledge.
Some Honors participants are even given the resources and faculty assistance to conduct independent research, which is then presented and celebrated through the Research Symposium. This symposium, hosted by the Honors Program and the School of Liberal Arts, Science, and Education, celebrates student achievements across a range of disciplines.
THE RISE PROGRAM
Judson’s Road to Independent living, Spiritual formation and Employment (RISE) Program is a unique opportunity to provide a post-secondary education for individuals with an intellectual disability. The RISE Program gives students with intellectual disabilities the college life experience as well as the chance to build upon their strengths, growing for independent living and customized employment within a caring Christian community.
Campus life is built around student leadership and shared traditions. Judson Student Organization and University Ministries anchor involvement, with dozens of clubs creating space for culture, service, media, and academic interests. If something’s missing, students are encouraged to start it and get support.
With campus ministries and Bible studies, intramural sports, film festivals, and service projects and mission trips, Judson’s active campus life builds and binds the community while giving students the opportunity to take charge of their Judson experience. And, especially in a close-knit community like Judson, campus clubs and organizations provide meaningful leadership opportunities.
CITY LIFE: ELGIN AND CHICAGO
Judson’s location offers incredible opportunities to students looking to explore the community outside of campus. Judson may be located in Elgin, but its proximity to Chicago allows students to enjoy the cultural attractions and amenities of both cities. Elgin is a lively suburb that offers a wide array of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Not too far off is Chicago, a large city with huge opportunities for work, networking, food, and leisure. Some of its major attractions include Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and the Shedd Aquarium.
WORLD LEADERS FORUM
A true highlight of the year at Judson University is the remarkable World Leaders Forum. This event brings international thought leaders to the Judson campus, inviting them to speak and interact with students and area professionals. The funds that are raised from the Forum even go toward scholarships for Judson students as well as an endowment toward an upcoming Entrepreneurial Studies program. Previous keynote speakers have included George W. Bush, Mikhail Gorbachev, Tony Blair, Condoleezza Rice, and Felipe Calderón.
THE IMAGO FILM FESTIVAL
Every spring, Judson University hosts a five-day film festival that explores the intersection between film and faith. The festival screens original, independent films submitted from all over the world and features nationally known speakers. It also acts as a platform in which to host discussions, workshops, and an awards ceremony.
Career preparation runs alongside coursework. Students get résumé and interview support and a steady flow of employer connections through program-level internships, practica, and studio partnerships. Many graduate with supervisors who can vouch for specific projects, not just potential.
Pathways are clear in signature areas. Architecture leverages Chicago’s design ecosystem and an on-campus studio culture; sport and exercise sciences translate hours in the field into references; art, design, business, and communications majors leave with public-facing portfolios developed in HAWAC and through local partners. The combination of small-class mentoring and regional access gives graduates momentum from day one.
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER
The Student Success Center is an on-campus resource that assists students with academic, personal, and professional goals. Through curricular and co-curricular activities, the center aims to help each student set and reach realistic goals throughout their college career.
SHARK TANK
Judson University has long stood as a haven for creative minds within the Christian worship and architecture arenas. It continues to foster such a reputation for creativity with its entrepreneurial idea competition, Shark Tank. Inspired by the ABC Network’s reality business pitch series “Shark Tank,” Judson’s annual event serves as a platform for students to foster creative ideas and deliver them in a presentation before a panel of judges. This competition is part of an ongoing effort to implement projects in the Business department, partnering students and faculty for experiential learning opportunities.
Admission
TEST SCORES
Optional
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 435 | 75th Percentile: 540
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 425 | 75th Percentile: 540
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 23
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 24
ACT English
25th Percentile: 15 | 75th Percentile: 22
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $29,850
Fees: $1,060
Room & Board: $11,820
Contact Judson University
Contact Admissions
judsonu.edu/admissions
(847) 628-2510
admissions@judsonu.edu
Campus Location
1151 N. State Street
Elgin, IL 60123
(847) 628-2500