University of Illinois, Springfield

What University of Illinois, Springfield does

The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) is a public university and the third campus of the University of Illinois System, located in Springfield, Illinois. Founded in 1969 as Sangamon State University, it was renamed and merged into the U of I System in 2005. UIS serves traditional undergraduate, transfer, graduate, international, and online students through campus-based and 51 online degree programs, supported by 18 NCAA Division II athletic teams and over 85 student organizations. UIS reports a 95.9% graduate success rate and was ranked No. 1 in Illinois and No. 7 in the Midwest in 2025.

The institution operates several core subsidiaries beyond its degree programs. The Illinois Innocence Project (founded 2001) has freed 34 wrongfully convicted individuals. Innovate Springfield, acquired in 2018 as the first hub of the Illinois Innovation Network, is a downtown business incubator hosting 80+ member companies that have added 280+ jobs locally. The Center for State Policy and Leadership conducts public-policy research, training, and journalism, while NPR Illinois provides public radio coverage of state affairs. UIS is building the UIS Innovation Center (a 24,600-square-foot facility at 401 E. Washington St., purchased for $950,000 in November 2022) and a new three-story, 52,000-square-foot Library Commons on campus.

UIS generates revenue through tuition and fees, state appropriations, federal and private grants, and philanthropy via the Division of Advancement and the UIS Fund. Distribution combines on-campus delivery, self-serve online enrollment (global reach), regional incubator services, and K-12 entrepreneurship via the Sangamon CEO program. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of NC-SARA; it is governed by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois as a state constitutional entity and is not a publicly traded company.

Name

University of Illinois, Springfield

Legal name

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Website

https://uis.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The University of Illinois Springfield is a public university serving undergraduate, graduate, transfer, international, and online students with 51 online programs, while operating subsidiaries including the Illinois Innocence Project, Innovate Springfield business incubator, and Center for State Policy and Leadership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

First-Year Experience & Transition Programs (EDALABAE)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Online degree programs
• Business incubation
• Public policy research
• Legal advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: UIS generates revenue through tuition and fees from undergraduate and graduate students across on-campus and online programs.
2. Grants and Research Funding: The university receives federal, state, and private grants. $3.6 million awarded in grants and scholarships to students, and the Illinois Innocence Project operates through grant funding.
3. Philanthropy and Alumni Giving: The Division of Advancement cultivates alumni donations through campaigns, events, and the UIS Fund. Annual fundraising supports scholarships, programs, and new initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The University of Illinois Springfield is a public university that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs both on-campus in Springfield, Illinois and online through 51 online degree programs. Beyond traditional education, UIS operates the Innovate Springfield business incubator (supporting 80+ member companies and adding 280+ jobs), the Illinois Innocence Project (a legal advocacy program that has freed 34 innocent people since 2001), the Center for State Policy and Leadership (public policy research), the Sangamon CEO high school entrepreneurship program, NPR Illinois public media, and 18 NCAA Division II Prairie Stars athletic teams.

Product overview

The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) is a public university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Its product portfolio centers on educational services (degree programs, online learning), innovation and entrepreneurship support (Innovate Springfield business incubator, UIS Innovation Center), public service (Center for State Policy and Leadership, Illinois Innocence Project), and community engagement (NPR Illinois, Office of Electronic Media, athletics). The institution's core offerings include campus-based and online degree programs, business incubation services, public policy research, and legal advocacy through the Illinois Innocence Project. Innovate Springfield and the planned UIS Innovation Center form the university's innovation ecosystem supporting entrepreneurship and economic development across central Illinois.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Innovate Springfield: University-led business incubator and hub of the Illinois Innovation Network supporting entrepreneurs, startups, and innovation in central Illinois
• Illinois Innocence Project
• Prairie Stars
• NPR Illinois
• Center for State Policy and Leadership

Products and services

• UIS Degree Programs (Undergraduate and Graduate) The core academic offering of UIS, providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple colleges. Programs are delivered on-campus in Springfield, Illinois with focus on public affairs, business, liberal arts, and sciences.
• UIS Online Programs 51 online degree programs and certificates providing flexible, remote access to University of Illinois degrees. Targets working professionals, transfer students, and online learners globally with self-service enrollment.
• Innovate Springfield University-led business incubator and innovation hub in downtown Springfield providing coworking space (9,800 sq ft), mentorship, educational programming, pitch competitions, AI workshops, and access to the Illinois Innovation Network for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses.
• UIS Innovation Center A planned 24,600-square-foot innovation facility near the Illinois State Capitol serving as a hub for technology commercialization, business incubation, workforce development, and policy research as part of the Illinois Innovation Network.
• Illinois Innocence Project Legal advocacy organization dedicated to freeing innocent men and women imprisoned in Illinois for crimes they did not commit, while providing student education in post-conviction actual innocence law. Operates through grant funding.
• Center for State Policy and Leadership Research and policy center promoting evidence-based policy and practice in the public sector through research, internships, training programs, and journalism that educates citizens on public affairs. Partners with state government agencies.
• Sangamon CEO Program Accredited high school and college dual credit program teaching entrepreneurship and leadership to high school seniors in Sangamon County. Partners with Illinois Science and Technology Coalition for mentorship matching and Illinois State Board of Education (ROCTE) for student cost coverage.
• NPR Illinois Public radio station and news service operated by UIS providing reporting and analysis beyond daily news, offering deeper understanding of Illinois communities and state issues.
• Office of Electronic Media Video production services for UIS, state government, public television, Illinois educators, and community non-profit agencies, producing events ranging from sports and training seminars to public events and educational lectures.
• Prairie Stars Athletics UIS intercollegiate athletics program featuring 18 NCAA Division II athletic teams (Prairie Stars) representing the university in competitive sports.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95.9% graduate success rate with students employed after graduation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• City Water, Light and Power (CWLP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026UIS partnered with Springfield's CWLP to install four electric vehicle charging ports on campus in Lot I North near the Recreation and Athletic Center. The project was funded by a $629,000 Illinois Community Charging Program Grant awarded to CWLP, with CWLP owning and maintaining the stations at no cost to the university. Part of broader effort to install 40 new Level 2 chargers across nine publicly accessible locations.
• Southern Illinois University School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026UIS Innovate Springfield and SIU School of Medicine partnered to expand access to specialized research and innovation space in Springfield for entrepreneurs, startups, and small organizations. 10-year collaboration to provide access to facilities supporting biomedical, biochemical, and chemical research including wet-lab space, imaging tools, and high-tech core research equipment.
• UIS College of Business and ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026UIS students enrolled in a strategy course partner with participating businesses in the AI workshop series to evaluate proposed AI solutions and assist with implementation and measurement, providing experiential learning opportunities.
• Illinois Small Business Development Center for Central Illinois (SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2026Illinois SBDC for Central Illinois opened a new office at Innovate Springfield, combining SBDC's no-cost confidential advising services with Innovate Springfield's collaborative environment. Partnership designed to improve access and strengthen connections for startups and established businesses across the 12-county region.
• Illinois Innovation Network (IIN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2018UIS is part of the Illinois Innovation Network, a U of I System initiative to boost Illinois' economy through entrepreneurship, research, and workforce development. UIS Innovation Center is one of 15 IIN hubs across the state. Innovate Springfield is the first hub of IIN.
• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in the Founders, Failures and Fun speaker series event. Collaborates on events bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and community members.
• NPR IllinoisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNPR Illinois partners with Innovate Springfield for speaker series events and provides reporting and analysis on state affairs with UIS as a key partner.
• Illinois VenturesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in the Founders, Failures and Fun speaker series. Illinois Ventures supports entrepreneurship through various programs.
• iVenturED Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIllinois nonprofit representing local community interest and support for the Sangamon CEO program. Partner in Founders, Failures and Fun speaker series.
• Illinois State Board of Education (ROCTE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSangamon CEO program joined Innovate Springfield as part of an agreement with Illinois State Board of Education's Regional Office of Career and Technical Education. ROCTE covers a portion of cost for each student enrolled.
• Illinois Science and Technology CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISTC partners with Innovate Springfield's Sangamon CEO program to create a professional mentorship matching program. Uses Mentor Matching Engine platform to connect students with mentors from companies and universities around the world.
• Capital Area Career Center (CACC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCACC students can enroll in Rapid Prototyping using Edge-Tech class taught by UIS Computer Science Instructor. Located at downtown Innovate Springfield building.
• Lincoln Land Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enables CACC students to earn college credit through Lincoln Land Community College for the rapid prototyping course.
• Horace ManncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUIS Innovation Center leasing space at Horace Mann's downtown Springfield campus. 2.5-year lease adds nearly 3,000 square feet, bringing total to 9,800 square feet. Includes co-working, incubation areas, instructional space, and event areas.
• JNTU-Anantapur (JNTUA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUIS delegation visited JNTU-Anantapur to discuss establishing long-term multidimensional academic partnership focused on industry-ready curricula and student employability. Both institutions signed joint declaration and plan to formalize through MOU with academic exchanges and twinning programmes.
• Discovery Partners Institute (DPI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUIS students and faculty benefit from learning and research opportunities through Innovate Springfield and DPI. DPI is the cornerstone of Illinois Innovation Network, bringing together top faculty in agriculture, healthcare, computing and other critical fields.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Governors State University: Small-to-mid Illinois public university with a strong online-learning focus and adult-learner profile, comparable in scale and demographic positioning to UIS, especially relevant for online program and adult-learner competition.
• Illinois State University: Large regional public university in Illinois. Closest direct peer — comparable public comprehensive university structure, similar mix of on-campus and online programs, NCAA Division I athletics footprint in-state, and competing for the same Midwest student pool as UIS.
• Northern Illinois University: Illinois public research university located in DeKalb with a comparable mix of on-campus and online programs, NCAA Division I athletics, and regional economic-development roles — somewhat larger than UIS but the same Illinois public-system archetype.
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: Public regional university within the SIU System serving the Metro East corridor. Comparable in scale, mission, NCAA Division II athletics, online program portfolio, and Illinois public-funding dynamics to UIS.
• Western Illinois University: Illinois regional public university of similar enrollment scale to UIS, with NCAA Division I athletics and a comparable online program offering targeting the same Midwest and adult-learner markets.
• Eastern Illinois University: Mid-sized Illinois public university with NCAA Division I athletics and broad online offerings. Most directly comparable peer by enrollment scale, regional public mission, and competition for the same transfer and online student populations.

Broad incumbents

• University of Illinois Chicago: Sister UI System campus and substantially larger urban research university. Same governance and brand (University of Illinois degree), but a much larger peer in scale and scope that shares administrative and brand infrastructure with UIS.
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: UI System flagship and R1 research university. Shares the "University of Illinois" brand and system governance with UIS but operates at dramatically greater scale, scope, and research intensity, ranking as a top-tier national public rather than a regional peer.

Regional players

• Indiana State University: Mid-sized public regional university in Indiana with NCAA Division I athletics and a similar online and adult-learner portfolio. Comparable institutional archetype to UIS, competing in adjacent Midwest geographies for the same non-traditional and online student segments.
• Missouri State University: Mid-sized public regional university in Springfield, MO with NCAA Division II athletics and a similar mix of on-campus and online programming — relevant Midwest regional peer and a fellow state-capital-area public institution competing for the same online and adult-learner demand.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UISedu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/uistube
• Facebookfacebook.com/341400498617
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-illinois-at-springfield
• Instagraminstagram.com/uisedualumni

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Illinois, Springfield