Students attending the 26 member colleges and universities of Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) are learning in diverse environments and are afforded opportunities to learn that emphasize small classes, real-world project learning and a variety of internships, according to ACI research. ACI members are also producing teachers and health-care workers in larger numbers than the state’s largest universities.

These findings come from a recent compilation of demographic statistics from ACI member schools (see image, left). Among the nearly 50,000 total undergraduate students:

+ about 58 percent are women
+ about one third are students who are American Indian, Alaskan or Native Hawaiian, Asian, Black/African American, Latinx or multiracial
+ more than one third are eligible for Pell Grants, awarded to students with the greatest financial need
+ more than 800 students are attending ACI colleges and universities with GI Bill benefits

“These findings confirm what we already knew: Students who attend private, liberal arts colleges in Illinois are learning important skills and life lessons that lead to productive careers in the state’s economy,” said Mick Weltman, ACI executive director. “Also, ACI-affiliated schools have diverse student bodies, which contribute to a rich and wide-ranging learning environment. This is vital in today’s global economy.”