Elmhurst College

Why study at Elmhurst College?

About Our Campus

On campus, our students enjoy all the classic amenities of college life, from the wide-open green spaces to the cozy student lounge. The 48-acre grounds are an arboretum, with more than 800 trees and woody plants; our traditional red-brick buildings boast smart classrooms and up-to-date computer technology. Elmhurst is safe and suburban but close to urban.

What’s more, the college has everything you need within walking distance to campus. Or for the more adventurous, the train to Chicago is just a few blocks away.

Who We Are

Founded in 1871, Elmhurst attracts students from across the nation and around the world. In small classes, our students work closely with faculty members who are accomplished scholars and professionals—but above all, they’re dedicated teachers.

Elmhurst College is one of the best in the Midwest, according to U.S. News & World Report; and Money and Forbes magazines consistently rank Elmhurst as one of the Midwest’s best values in higher education.

A Place To Call Home

Elmhurst College combines the charm of a park-like campus with the endless opportunities of the world-class city of Chicago.

Our campus is a short walk from downtown Elmhurst and a 30-minute train ride from Chicago’s Loop. You’ll have easy access to vibrant arts and culture, championship sports teams, lifechanging career opportunities and a lot more.

A Dynamic Music Scene

Chicago boasts some of the world’s best music festivals, from Lollapalooza and Pitchfork to the Jazz and Blues fests. Throughout the year, Chicago music venues host the top names in every genre, from Buddy Guy’s Legends and the Green Mill to the Empty Bottle, the Vic, Metro and the historic Aragon Ballroom.

A Sports Fan’s Paradise

Chicago has more than its share of championship pro sports teams. The Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup three times in less than a decade, and the Cubs’ 2016 World Series victory was a dream come true for generations of fans. The Bears play football at Chicago’s iconic Soldier Field, and the Bulls bring the town together at the United Center. The city also hosts the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Sky WNBA team and the Chicago Fire soccer team.

World-Class Culture

People come to Chicago from all over the world to visit our major cultural institutions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Second City Theater Chicago comedy club and the Shedd Aquarium. The city is home to more than 120 theater companies, where you can see everything from Broadway musicals to cutting-edge performance art. Closer to campus, the College boasts its own world-class collection of Chicago Imagist art, and the Elmhurst Art Museum is only two blocks from campus.

The Great Outdoors

Close to campus is the Morton Arboretum, a 1,700-acre oasis of greenery, and 100-plus miles of hiking trails through leafy forest preserves. In Chicago you’ll find bike trails, sparkling beaches and one of the world’s best park systems.

In Millennium Park, the city’s newest and most dynamic lakefront green space, you can enjoy outdoor concerts in the summertime or splash around in the quirky Crown Fountain.

Career Opportunities

The Chicago region is the Midwest’s capital of industry, finance, arts and culture, and scientific discovery. From WGN and Soldier Field to Argonne National Laboratory and Morgan Stanley, you’ll have access to internships at some of the world’s top companies. Each year, Elmhurst students choose from some 2,000 options for internships and other career programs.