Elmhurst University is a liberal arts college in town that offers more than 70 undergraduate majors ranging from business and nursing to jazz studies and studio art. The university also runs graduate programs in health care, business, education and technology, along with degree completion programs for working adults and professional certificate options in fields like data science and cybersecurity.
The university was founded with ties to the United Church of Christ and has built its reputation on small classes and faculty mentorship. Students describe the campus as a tight-knit community where professors know them by name and push them to grow both in and out of the classroom. The university also hosts a celebrated Jazz Festival that draws high school musicians from the region.
Beyond academics, Elmhurst offers on-campus housing and dining, a fitness center, study abroad opportunities and ways to get involved through student organizations and athletics. The Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy serves young adults with differing abilities through a four-year program focused on independent living skills. Being located near Chicago means students have access to internship and job opportunities in a major metropolitan area while still having a smaller college setting.
