Illinois university has one of the ‘most beautiful’ campuses in nation, US News says
An Illinois university was recently named among the 30 most beautiful campuses in the country, according to an analysis by U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. News & World Report’s “30 Beautiful College Campuses” recognized Aurora University for its landmark Eckhart Hall, tree-lined formal entrance and historic architecture.
Aurora University wasn’t the only Illinois institution to receive recognition for its beauty recently. A 2025 analysis from lifestyle magazine Condé Nast Traveler named Northwestern University among the 54 most beautiful campuses in the nation.
A few other Midwest institutions also made the cut for the U.S. News & World Report’ analysis, including Denison University and Kenyon College in Ohio and the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
“The beauty of a campus influences a prospective student’s first impressions and can sway the decision about college choice, experts say,” the U.S. News & World Report article reads.
The News-Democrat has contacted staff with Aurora University for comment about the recognition from U.S. News.
More about Illinois’ most beautiful campus
U.S. News & World Report ranks Aurora University the 283rd best in its 2026 Best National Universities ranking, which evaluated 436 institutions.
The university is located in Aurora, which is roughly 45 miles west of Chicago. Aurora has an estimated population of 180,710 as of 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and the city’s median gross rent is $1,596.
Aurora University performed particularly well in U.S. News & World Report’s “Top Performers on Social Mobility” ranking, earning a 22nd place spot out of 433 schools.
“Economically disadvantaged students are less likely than others to finish college, even when controlling for their achievement in high school,” U.S. News’ analysis on social mobility reads. “But some colleges are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants.”
Aurora University has an acceptance rate of 81%, according to U.S. News.
Niche, a site offering data on schools and colleges, gives Aurora University a “B” overall grade, with a C+ for academics, an A- for value, an A- for diversity, B for campus, B for athletics and C+ for “party scene.” Aurora University got an “A” for safety from Niche.
For the 2025-26 academic year, undergraduate tuition at Aurora University is $14,800 per semester, before fees, housing and food.
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