Aurora University (AU) is a private, nonprofit, four-year institution located in Aurora, Check This Out Illinois, approximately 45 miles west of Chicago. Founded in 1893 as a seminary college in Mendota, Illinois, AU moved to its current campus in Aurora in 1912 and has since grown into a comprehensive university offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. With a total enrollment of approximately 5,900 students, AU is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and describes itself as a “private university with a public purpose”.

History and Mission

Aurora University traces its origins to the founding of a seminary in Mendota, Illinois, in 1893. Though established initially to prepare graduates for ministry, the institution soon adopted a broader educational mission and relocated to Aurora. After World War II, enrollment surged as veterans enrolled in the college’s innovative evening degree program. The 1970s and 1980s saw expansion into professional fields and the awarding of advanced degrees, culminating in the 1985 decision to rename the institution Aurora University.

In 1992, Aurora University entered an affiliation agreement with George Williams College, a institution rooted in the YMCA movement with a campus on Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The merger was completed eight years later, blending the two traditions.

AU’s mission is to be “an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning.” Its core values are integrity, citizenship, continuous learning, and excellence. The university is nonsectarian and governed by a Board of Trustees representing the community at large.

Academic Programs

Aurora University offers more than 60 undergraduate majors across its colleges, along with extensive graduate and online offerings. The university’s academic structure includes programs in arts and sciences, business, education, nursing, and social work, among other fields.

Undergraduate offerings include majors in Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Education, English, Finance, Graphic Design, Health Promotion, History, Marketing, Nursing (BSN), Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, and many others. The university also offers pre-professional programs such as Pre-Law and Pre-Health.

Graduate programs at AU lead to master’s degrees, master’s-level post-baccalaureate credentials, and the Doctor of Education (EdD) degree. Since establishing its first graduate program in 1980, AU has been dedicated to graduate study that promotes career and professional success. Graduate offerings include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with tracks in Administration, Education, and Family Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Exercise Science (MSES), Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and Doctor of Education in Leadership in Education Administration or Instructional Leadership.

Accelerated Advantage graduate programs allow students to earn a master’s degree in just one year. The university also offers online bachelor’s and graduate degrees and endorsement programs through AU Online, with tuition set at $480 per credit hour for online courses.

Student Body and Community

As of Fall 2024, Aurora University enrolled 5,923 students, including 4,106 undergraduates. The student body is predominantly female (67.2% women, 32.8% men). The racial and ethnic composition of undergraduates reflects AU’s designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution: 41.6% Hispanic/Latino, 38.7% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 3.1% Asian, and 3.0% identifying with two or more races. Non-resident aliens comprise 0.7% of undergraduates.

The university maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, and faculty make teaching a priority. Students are supported by academic tutors and student success advisors, and the university emphasizes volunteer programs and professional experiences.

AU’s 37-acre main campus is located in a residential neighborhood on the southwest side of Aurora and contains 29 instructional, administrative, and residence buildings. Read More Here The campus includes six residence halls, athletics facilities, and the Phillips Library. The university also operates the George Williams College campus on Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, and offers select programs at the University Center at McHenry County College in Woodstock, Illinois.

Admissions

Aurora University maintains a rolling admissions policy, reviewing applications as they are completed. The university is test-optional, meaning SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission. There is no application fee for undergraduate students. Applicants may apply through the AU application or the Common App.

For regular freshman admission, students are expected to have graduated from an accredited high school with a college-preparatory curriculum or earned a GED. The university looks for academic ability and a diversity of talents and interests that will enrich the campus community. Conditional admission may be granted to applicants who do not meet regular criteria but show strong evidence of ability and motivation.

Freshman applicants who apply by the November 15 priority deadline receive benefits including application review and decision within two business days, priority scholarship consideration, and preferential housing selection.

Costs and Financial Aid

For the 2025-2026 academic year, undergraduate tuition at Aurora University is **$29,600**, with fees of $370. For resident students, housing (air-conditioned double room) is $7,750 and food (Hungry Spartan 21 meal plan) is $6,240, bringing total direct costs to $43,960**. Including indirect costs such as books, transportation, and personal expenses, the total cost of attendance for resident students is approximately **$48,851. Commuter students face total costs of approximately $39,883.

According to Forbes, the average grant aid at Aurora University is $15,909**, and the net price is approximately **$17,220. The total annual cost listed by Forbes is $37,028. The university offers academic and need-based scholarships, and students are automatically considered when their admission application and FAFSA are submitted.

Athletics

Aurora University competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). The university’s athletic teams are known as the Spartans. AU fields 22 intercollegiate athletic teams.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, Aurora finished 51st in the final Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Division III standings out of more than 420 Division III programs—the second-best showing in school history. AU was the top NACC school for the 11th consecutive year and the only NACC program to finish in the top 70. Six teams won conference championships: women’s golf, men’s golf, football, men’s hockey, men’s volleyball, and men’s lacrosse. The Spartans accumulated 348 points, with strong performances in football (50 points), men’s hockey (60 points), and spring sports (216 points combined).

Distinctive Programs

Aurora University offers several programs that reflect its commitment to access and student success.

The Pathways Collegiate Program, launched in 2021, empowers neurodiverse students to reach their potential in their studies and beyond. The program provides academic support, social opportunities, and structured transition to college life. In 2026, Ainsley Martin became the first four-year Pathways participant to earn an undergraduate degree, graduating with a History major and Museum Studies minor before beginning graduate study in library science at Dominican University.

AU also offers a Plus One MSES program in Exercise Science, a full-time, day cohort format for recent graduates in related fields. The program prepares students for certifications including the ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) and NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exams.

Accreditation

Aurora University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to award degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The baccalaureate and master’s social work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The athletic training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The educator preparation programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Conclusion

Aurora University occupies a distinctive place in Illinois higher education as a private institution with a public purpose. Its designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, its test-optional and rolling admissions policy, and its relatively accessible net price make it an option worth considering for students seeking a private university education near Chicago. important link With more than 60 undergraduate majors, a growing portfolio of graduate and doctoral programs, and a commitment to serving diverse learners through initiatives like the Pathways program, AU continues to fulfill its mission as an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning.