ANSWERS FOR PROSPECTIVES FROM FELLOW GRADS
The Department
How big is the department? How many faculty? How many grads?
You can find all our faculty and affiliated faculty in the People Tab above!
The Program
What are the requirements for a PhD?
The official degree requirements can be found here. The astronomy department handbook has a detailed account of the program requirements.
What are classes like?
Graduate-level astronomy classes are a step up from senior-level undergraduate classes. You will work hard in the core courses but learn a lot, with more involved assignments and projects. Beyond the core courses, the department offers several "seminar" courses each year, where the faculty teach topics in their specialty. It's an excellent opportunity to learn cutting-edge astronomy! Students are also encouraged to pursue courses in other departments, which might help them with research. Astronomy grads have taken courses in Physics or Computer Science, for example.
You can find departmental courses on Course Explorer.
How many classes do I have to take?
Most students take two grad-level classes per semester, for eight credit hours, for their first four semesters. This generally tends to cover the requirements in the handbook (linked above). It's possible to do more, but it can start to cut into your research/TA/life time.
What are my responsibilities if I'm a TA?
It depends on the class. Some TAs just grade papers, some run discussion sections for a large lecture class. Most of the TAs at the freshman level also have to do observing sessions (nighttime and daytime) at the Campus Observatory. Nearly all TAs do some form of grading and host office hours. To be clear, though, professors teach all astronomy classes; no TA ever has complete responsibility for a class.
How soon do I get to do research?
Most graduate students begin doing research after taking ASTR 496, which is an introduction to research in the department, and at the end, you will submit a plan for the first summer project.
All grad students are guaranteed funding for their first summer and must do a research project. However, if you want to get started early, talk to faculty members -- or even fellow grad students (who can help point you in the right direction). Also, the first summer research project does not have to lead to a thesis. Use it to explore a part of astronomy you've never done before! If you're into theory, do an observing project! If you're an observer, do some modeling! While many students will have started their main project by some time during their second year, you will likely be taking classes that whole time, and productivity really takes off in the third year.
How long does it take to complete a PhD?
The average time is about 5.5 years to complete a PhD (for a graduate student entering with a Bachelor's degree). In recent history, it has taken from 4 years to 10 years.
Money
What funding opportunities are available for graduate students?
The department usually has several TA positions available, and some professors have grant money to fund RA positions. In addition, the University Research Board offers funds for RAs (limited funding, so proposals are required). The University also keeps a list of fellowships you can apply for.
What is the typical graduate assistant stipend?
For the 2025-26 academic year, an astronomy TA or RA is given a stipend of about $24,200 for the 9-month academic year. A summer stipend covers an additional 2 months, generally at the same rate (about $5378 for the summer). It's a quirk of the University, but RAs don't get paid in August, unless there is separate funding from your advisor. If you have a TA in the summer, you get paid in July and August, but not in June (same amount of money as an RA, but distributed differently).
What does it cost to live in Champaign-Urbana?
Everyone is different, so we can't tell you it will cost X dollars per year to live here - too many variables. We can tell you the average rent rate: $1,619 for a 1-bedroom apartment (Note: rents are higher closer to campus). Overall, Champaign-Urbana has a cost of living below the national average. So, astronomy grads can do all right on a TA/RA stipend since a dollar goes farther in Champaign-Urbana than at other top schools. Using the salary.com online cost of living calculator, a $29,578 stipend at the University of Illinois (a full 11 months of support) is worth:
- a $32,825 stipend at the University of Texas at Austin,
- a $29,461 stipend at Univ. of Arizona, Tucson,
- a $31,044 stipend at Cornell,
- a $35,574 stipend at Princeton,
- a $33,825 stipend at the University of Chicago,
- a $45,746 stipend at UC Santa Cruz,
- a $53,571 stipend at UC Berkeley,
- a $46,075 stipend at Harvard or MIT, or
- a $43,428 stipend at CalTech.
Champaign-Urbana
Exactly where is Champaign-Urbana?
Champaign-Urbana is a college town in rural Illinois; it is 135 miles south of Chicago, 120 miles west of Indianapolis, and 180 miles east-northeast of St. Louis.
How do you get to Champaign-Urbana?
Willard Airport is the local airport. American Airlines has daily flights to Champaign-Urbana. Champaign-Urbana is also at the junction of three interstates: I-57, I-72, and I-74 (See the map below). In addition, Champaign-Urbana has daily inter-city bus and train service from Chicago.
How easy is it to find housing in Champaign-Urbana?
It's not difficult at all to find good, reasonably-priced housing in Champaign-Urbana. However, it can be challenging to find something if you want to live within a couple of blocks of campus. Housing in this area is geared to undergrads and is usually rented out well before summer begins. Away from campus, housing is cheaper, quieter, and usually in better shape. Don't have a car? Don't worry -- Champaign-Urbana has an excellent bus system (See the next question)! However, if you plan on using the bus system, please look at the route maps in the following question to see if you are close.
An essential resource for new graduate students is the Student Legal Services Tenant and Housing. There is also the Off-Campus Community Living Center. They have information on all the leasing companies and will even review your lease before you sign it.
Does Champaign-Urbana have a public transportation system?
Yes, and a very good one. The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) is an award-winning public transportation system offering services 24 hours a day (of course, the services are limited late at night). The MTD has a deal with the University that makes your student ID a bus pass. All students pay a fee each semester that gives them unlimited access to MTD services - and graduate students don't need to pay this fee, but still get the benefits! The MTD has complete online schedules and route maps available.
What is the weather like?
We have a saying in the Midwest, "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute." The weather in Champaign-Urbana is very seasonal. We have hot and humid summers, quickly cooling autumns, cold and windy winters, and stormy springs. Bring your shorts and your heavy coat!
What is there to do in Champaign-Urbana besides taking classes, teaching, and researching?
What do you like to do? Of course, Champaign-Urbana has all the usual amenities for a college town: bars, movie theaters, restaurants, coffee houses, and shopping. The University boasts a world-class performing arts scene in the Krannert Center (and student tickets are pretty inexpensive), the Krannert Art Museum, the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, wellness facilities, its own on-campus bowling alley and billiard hall, as well as a pair of golf courses (again, inexpensive for students). The area has several large parks in Champaign and Urbana, as well as forest preserves in Champaign County and surrounding areas for hiking, nature walks, or just relaxing outdoors. Also, whatever your interests, there will surely be a student organization for you to join. Check out the University's Community page for more info!
Additionally, Chicago is a short train ride away, and Champaign-Urbana is less than a 3-hour drive to St. Louis and Indianapolis for students with a car.
For more information about graduate student life at the University of Illinois, check out the Graduate College's Our Community page!