
UIS's Prairie Stars compete in NCAA Division II and the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Varsity offerings include sports such as basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, golf, tennis, cross-country, track and field, and volleyball, with participation depending on the team and season.
Varsity competition is different from campus recreation. Students who do not join an intercollegiate roster can explore fitness facilities, recreational activities, and any intramural opportunities offered in a given term. The existence of a varsity team does not mean every listed activity is a varsity sport, nor does it guarantee a roster place or athletic aid.
UIS students can participate in recognized organizations spanning academic interests, culture, service, recreation, and the arts. Student government offers a route to campus representation, while program-related clubs and identity-based organizations provide more focused ways to meet peers.
Students interested in media and performance can also look into the student newspaper, student-run radio and television activities, theater, and choral groups. Organization rosters and activity levels change, so the current student-organization directory and term events calendar are more reliable than an older list when deciding whether a specific group is meeting.
UIS reported 4,628 enrolled students in the institutional figures. It enrolls both traditional-age students and older learners, consistent with its mix of four-year degrees, graduate study, online options, and transfer pathways.
In the reported entering undergraduate figures, 449 students transferred in, compared with 262 first-time degree- or certificate-seeking students. That comparison describes new entrants in those categories, not the entire undergraduate population. Geographic figures indicate that most students in the measured group were Illinois residents, while smaller shares came from other states and abroad.
UIS reports a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1. This institution-wide ratio is not a promise about the size of a particular lecture, laboratory, or online class. Applicants seeking a specific learning environment should examine the course formats and typical scheduling in their intended major.
Everyday life at UIS combines a residential campus with students who arrive from elsewhere in Springfield or participate online. The Student Union provides a gathering place, while campus programming, recreation, performances, and service activities give students ways to connect outside class.
That mix has practical implications: a student who works or commutes may need to plan deliberately for evening events and group meetings, while a residential student may find more activities close at hand. New-student orientation and academic advising can help students learn how to use campus services. The best way to judge a proposed schedule is to compare the actual meeting times of classes, activities, work, and any required internship or field placement.
Norris L. Brookens Library is UIS's main campus library. It supports coursework and research through collections, online journals and databases, research assistance, and access to materials beyond its own holdings through borrowing services.
Students studying remotely should check how to authenticate for electronic resources and request help from librarians. Those working on a substantial project can benefit from research consultations rather than relying only on a general web search. Library hours, study-space rules, equipment access, and borrowing arrangements can vary by term, so students who need late-night space or a particular resource should check the current library information.
Total enrollment
4628Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
309Member of Athletic Associations
NCAATotal staff
208 full time, 160 part timeVeterans affair office
NoData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.