Incoming Fall 2026 Class Showcases a High-Achieving, Diverse Student Body with Career Outcomes to Match

As the higher education community approaches Decision Day on May 1, Illinois Tech is proud to announce the academic profile and demographic makeup of its fall 2026 admitted undergraduate class. The cohort reflects the university’s deepening commitment to academic excellence, expanded access for first-generation students, and real-world career preparation—continuing a forward momentum that is drawing students to Illinois Tech from across the nation and redefining what a high-quality, opportunity-driven education can deliver. 

Academic Excellence: A Class Ready to Power the Jobs of the Future 

The fall 2026 class sets a new benchmark for academic preparation at Illinois Tech. Admitted students average a 30 on the ACT and a 3.98 GPA, placing them among the top 10 to 15 percent of their high school classes nationally. These students have already demonstrated the intellectual discipline and drive to succeed in Illinois Tech’s rigorous, industry-aligned programs across engineering, computing, architecture, business, design, and the sciences. 

Illinois Tech delivers a technology-embedded, industry-aligned education with experiential learning integrated throughout the student journey, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience alongside academic rigor. Its programs are purpose-built for the industries shaping the future from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to structural engineering and biomedical innovation. This incoming class arrives at a pivotal moment, uniquely positioned to take full advantage of a curriculum designed in close partnership with industry and aligned with evolving workforce demands. 

“Illinois Tech’s sustained momentum reflects our commitment to delivering an education that combines academic rigor with real-world outcomes,” says Mallik Sundharam, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs. “As a Carnegie-designated Opportunity University, we are recognized for providing both access and strong career outcomes ensuring our students graduate prepared for long-term success and economic mobility.” 

Expanding Access: First-Generation Momentum Accelerates 

One of the most significant developments in this year’s class is the continued rise in first-generation college students. Notably, 44 percent of admitted students will be the first in their families to earn a college degree, up 5 percent from last year. This growth is not accidental; it is the direct result of Illinois Tech’s sustained investment in scholarship support, community outreach, and a mission rooted in creating opportunity for students from all backgrounds. 

“The profile of this admitted class reflects exactly what Illinois Tech stands for attracting talented, driven students and providing them with the tools, support, and real-world experiences they need to succeed,” says Sundharam. “The growth in first-generation representation is especially meaningful; it reflects our ability to reach students and families for whom an Illinois Tech education can be truly transformative. Through our integrated student success model, including the Illinois Tech ‘student-first’ Student Success Initiative and a unified, proactive advising approach powered by technology we are creating a strong, connected support system and community that ensures students and their families have the resources and guidance needed to succeed from day one through graduation. Today’s students are seeking an education that leads directly to career opportunity and long-term economic mobility, and Illinois Tech is delivering on that promise.” 

Illinois Tech was founded on the belief that an elite technical education should be accessible to those with talent and drive to pursue it regardless of family income or ZIP code. The 2026 admitted class is proof that this commitment is as strong as ever. 

This year’s class also includes 293 recruited student-athletes, up 24 percent from 2026, reflecting the university’s broader vision of student excellence that extends beyond the classroom. 

A National Footprint, Rooted in Chicago 

The fall 2026 class draws talent from across the country and beyond, while remaining deeply anchored in Illinois: 

• 24 percent of admitted students hail from the city of Chicago 
• 30 percent come from elsewhere in Illinois, making Illinois students 54 percent of the total class 
• 46 percent of admitted students hail from outside Illinois and internationally, highlighting Illinois Tech’s increasing visibility and appeal on both a national and global stage 

This geographic reach reflects Illinois Tech’s unique position as both a homegrown engine of opportunity for Chicago students and a national destination for ambitious, high-achieving talent. 

National Recognition for Opportunity and Outcomes 

Illinois Tech’s commitment to access and outcomes has earned the university some of higher education’s most meaningful distinctions. Illinois Tech was recently named an “Opportunity College and University” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education—the highest possible classification for institutions that combine access with strong post-graduation earnings. Among the 10 institutions earning this designation in Illinois, Illinois Tech boasts the highest eight-year median earnings ($77,282) and the highest earnings ratio (1.94), reflecting that its graduates earn nearly twice as much as their peers. 

Illinois Tech is also ranked: 

• #1 in Illinois and #22 in the U.S. for Best Salaries of Graduates (Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026) 
• #91 nationally and #265 worldwide (TIME Magazine/Statista World’s Top Universities 2026) 
• #30 Best Value School (U.S. News & World Report 2026) 
• #35 for Greatest Economic Diversity among Top U.S. Colleges (New York Times 2023) 

Outcomes That Speak for Themselves 

For students and families, Illinois Tech’s career outcomes tell a powerful and measurable story of value, opportunity, and return on investment. According to the university’s First Destination survey of the class of 2025 with a 91 percent response rate, more than 90 percent of graduates were either employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation. Among those who completed an internship or co-op, full-time employment rises highlighting the clear advantage of Illinois Tech’s experiential learning model. 

Illinois Tech’s outcomes are driven by a technology-embedded, industry-aligned education with experiential learning at its core. Through the university’s Elevate initiative, students gain hands-on experience through internships, research, competitions, and real-world projects assuring they graduate not only with knowledge, but with the skills employers demand. 

Graduates secure roles at leading companies that define their industries, including J. P. Morgan Chase, American Express, Palo Alto Networks, Northrop Grumman, Sargent & Lundy, Microsoft, and Tesla. While Illinois Tech students pursue opportunities nationwide, 72 percent remain in Illinois, contributing to Chicago’s fast-growing technology and engineering sectors. 

Graduate outcomes are equally strong. Within six months of graduation, 86 percent of Illinois Tech’s master’s and doctoral graduates secured full-time employment. Illinois remains the top destination for graduate placement at 41 percent, followed by Texas and California, key hubs for technology, engineering, and finance talent. 

Career Readiness Through Real-World Learning 

Illinois Tech’s flagship Elevate initiative guarantees students access to career-focused learning experiences, including internships, research projects, competitions, and study-away opportunities. Elevate ensures that every graduate builds a strong, experience-driven resume through meaningful, market-aligned opportunities. Students who complete internships or other experiential learning experiences are significantly more likely to secure full-time employment and often earn starting salaries $10,000 higher, underscoring the clear career advantage of Illinois Tech’s hands-on, applied approach to education. 

“We all know that learning doesn’t begin at convocation and end at commencement. At Illinois Tech, we focus on student success before, during, and long after their time here. We’re redefining what it means to bring true value to students, by building career-ready skills through hands-on experiences from day one,” says Sundharam. “Illinois Tech is proud to champion a model of higher education that is accessible, transformative, and rooted in the real-world needs of today’s and tomorrow’s global economy.”