Lewis University

About Lewis University

• Lewis University is a private Lasallian Catholic university located in Romeoville, Illinois (just outside Chicago). Founded in 1932.

• Main campus address: One University Parkway, Romeoville, IL 60446.

• The university describes itself as offering a mix of liberal arts foundation plus professional/technical majors (for example engineering, aviation, business).

• The campus acreage is over 400 acres/410 acres.

Why Choose Lewis University? (What makes it a considered choice)

For international students especially, here are some of the strengths:

• Proximity to Chicago: The Romeoville campus is about 35 miles southwest of Chicago — giving access to a major metro area for internships, culture and employment.

• International student services: Lewis has a dedicated International Admissions page, offering airport pickup, orientation, immigration support, etc.

• Scholarship opportunities: The university offers substantial merit scholarships (see below) which is a big plus for international students.

• Range of programmes and strong in applied fields: Especially in engineering/computer science, aviation, business and health sciences. If you want a career-oriented programme plus liberal arts, Lewis positions itself for that.

• Smallish student/faculty ratio and supportive environment: The student-faculty ratio is cited at about 13:1.

University Ranking & Reputation

• Lewis University appears in regional and national rankings: for example the U.S. News & World Report lists Lewis among the “top tier” in the Midwest Regional Universities category.

• According to a 2025-2026 summary: Yocket estimates Lewis is ranked ~#23 in Regional Universities Midwest by U.S. News & World Report.

• Important caveat: Because Lewis is a private regional university rather than a large research flagship, the “global research university” reputation may be more modest. For you as an international student choosing a programme, check the specific department/major accreditation, outcome data (graduates employed), and how that degree is recognised in your home country.

Campus Locations

• Main Campus: Romeoville, Illinois (410+ acres, suburban setting)

• Other locations/modes: Lewis lists additional locations such as Oak Brook (for adult/graduate coursework) and Albuquerque (New Mexico) campuses, as well as “online” programmes.

  • Oak Brook: for evening, adult and graduate degree coursework

  • Online: Lewis offers fully online and hybrid modes.

• For international students, likely your main campus will be Romeoville (on-campus) if you want on-site full experience.

Types of Courses (Study Levels)

• Undergraduate (Bachelor’s): Lewis offers approximately 80+ undergraduate majors/programs.

• Graduate (Master’s and Doctoral): The university lists about 25 graduate programmes and some doctoral programmes (two doctoral programmes per some sources).

• Certificates / Advanced Study: Lewis also offers certificates of advanced study and programmes for working adults.

Mode of Learning (On-campus / Online / Blended)

• On-campus: Students can live on campus (residence halls) and attend traditional face-to-face classes at the Romeoville campus.

• Online/Blended: Lewis offers evening, adult, graduate and online programmes; some programmes are designed for working adults with hybrid formats.

• For F-1 visa international students: Lewis has a policy that encourages in-person class attendance to maintain legal F-1 status.

  • For example: “All students are encouraged to take all classes in-person to maintain legal F1 visa status.”

• Practical tip: If you plan to study on an F-1 visa and want full-time enrolment, choose on-campus or hybrid programmes that meet the in-person requirement.

Number of Programs Offered

• Under “About” pages: more than 80 undergraduate majors, about 25 graduate programmes, plus certificates & adult/continuing education options.

• Another source: “over 80 undergraduate majors and programs … 35 graduate programs” (per Romeoville city page)

• So you can safely say: 80+ undergraduate programs, 25-35 graduate/doctoral programmes, numerous certificates/continuing education tracks.

Highlights

• International Diversity: Over 59 countries represented in the student body.

• Strong support for international students: The Office of International Student & Global Scholar Services (ISGSS) provides visa/immigration assistance, orientation, workshops, social life support etc.

• Recognition and ranking: Lewis is consistently recognized among best in Midwest region; being one of the fewer universities in Illinois recognized by U.S. News in the “top tier” for Midwest Regional Universities.

• Focus on applied majors: Notable programmes in Aviation, Criminal Justice, Nursing, Business, Computer Science and Engineering.

• Campus environment: Suburban setting, large campus, residence halls, interactive classes. Good for students wanting a U.S. campus experience but near a major city (Chicago).

Latest Updates

• Lewis University will host its Thirteenth Annual Celebration of Scholarship on April 23–24, 2025.

• Updated international admissions pages reflect that nearly 1,397 international students enrolled in Fall 2024.

• Lewis University is reaffirmed as ranked among top tier Midwest regional universities by U.S. News & World Report; they highlight their online MBA ranking (#137 for Best Online Master’s in Business Programs in one source) though always check year-by-year.

Considerations & Advice for International Students

• Visa & F-1 status: Make sure your programme allows the in-person attendance required for F-1 visa (Lewis policy emphasises in-person). Online-only programmes may not suffice.

• Cost & budget: While scholarships help, you’ll need to budget for tuition + accommodation + living in the Chicago-area. Use the Financial Aid pages and scholarship calculators.

• Programme recognition & alignment: For your field (engineering, CS, business, aviation, etc.) review specific accreditation and outcome stats (employment, internships) rather than only the university overall.

• Application deadlines & English-language requirements: For example, international applications require proof of English proficiency, transcripts evaluation, etc.

• Campus fit: Romeoville is suburban; if you like a U.S. campus feel plus opportunity to be near Chicago, this is good. If you want a large urban campus, check how the commute works.

• Scholarship eligibility & maintenance: Many scholarships are merit-based and renewable “if you meet GPA/credit load requirements”; make sure you understand eligibility criteria.

• International student community & support: With 59+ countries represented, there is a diverse community; check what social/academic support networks exist (International Student Association, orientation).

Scholarship

Undergraduate merit scholarships

• Lewis University lists its “Scholarships Awarded Through Admissions” page showing freshman academic scholarships: e.g.,

  • “Presidential Scholarship” ~$21,000/year

  • “Trustee Scholarship” ~$20,000/year

  • “Dean’s Scholarship” ~$19,000/year

• For international students, the “Tuition and Financial Support” page states: “Scholarships can be awarded up to $18,000 per year, for undergraduate students enrolled full-time at the Main Campus in Romeoville.”

• Example: In the international students brochure it states “International Scholarships up to $18,000”.

Graduate scholarships / assistantships

• The “Scholarships and Financial Assistance” section for international student services notes: “Graduate students are eligible for employment on campus – known as a Graduate Assistantship … part time jobs offer a small salary and a tuition reduction.”

• This means for graduate international students you need to check with your specific program at Lewis for assistantship openings (they are not guaranteed for all).

Endowed & Annual Scholarships

• Apart from merit admissions scholarships, Lewis also has a portal (AcademicWorks) listing Endowed/Annual Scholarships for which students may apply (including transfers, continuing students) — amounts vary (from ~$1,000 up to ~$5,000 or more) and apply to selected majors.

Eligibility requirements — what you must meet

Here are the main criteria international students need to satisfy to be eligible.

Undergraduate eligibility

• Must be admitted as a full-time undergraduate student (new freshman or transfer) at Lewis University.

• Enrollment at main campus (Romeoville) full-time — part-time doesn’t qualify for those large meritorious awards.

• Prior academic record (high school GPA) is used to determine scholarship level; for international students, equivalency to U.S. 4.0 scale will be calculated.

• English proficiency must be satisfied (e.g., minimum TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.5 for many programs) for admission.

• For renewal: typically you must maintain good academic standing (the exact GPA renewal threshold should be confirmed).

Graduate eligibility

• Be admitted to a graduate program at Lewis. (Check your department for specific thresholds.)

• To qualify for a Graduate Assistantship: you usually have to enroll full-time, and apply for assistantship after arrival/registration as noted.

• Some external scholarships (Endowed/Annual) also consider continuing graduate students based on major and academic merit.

Important details & things to check

• The scholarship limits: The $18,000/year figure is for undergraduates (full-time) and is the maximum listed for “international scholarships” on the tuition & financial support page. Thus it sets realistic expectations.

• The stated “Scholarships up to $18,000” means it’s a maximum merit award — your actual award depends on your GPA and other factors.

• Graduate assistantships are not guaranteed to all graduate international students; check with your program.

• Endowed/Annual scholarships vary widely in amount and are competitive; they may require a separate application and have major-specific or year-specific restrictions.

• The process change document (March 2025) states: donor committees will no longer personally select recipients; scholarship administration is standardized. Good to note for transparency.

What this means for you (as an international student)

• If you have strong prior academic performance (good high school GPA/grades, strong English test) and plan to enroll full-time at Lewis University, you can expect a meaningful scholarship (merit award) though likely not full-tuition (unless you happen to qualify for a full-tuition award which is rare).

• For example, with a maximum of ~$18,000 per year for undergraduates, compare that to the full cost (tuition + fees + living) to understand what portion you’ll still need to fund yourself. The brochure shows “Estimated International Student Financials – Undergraduate Tuition 2025: $22,300 per year (with scholarships included)”.

• Graduate students should carefully evaluate assistantships: many offer tuition reductions and small stipends, which helps but you’ll likely still need to budget for living and supplementary costs.

• You’ll need to ensure you meet full-time enrollment, maintain required GPA, and satisfy all admission/visa documentation to keep your scholarship.

• Because scholarships are merit-based, working on your admission file (transcripts, English proficiency, good essay/interview if required) will help maximize your award.

• Also explore external scholarships (for example via IEFA or your home country) as Lewis University’s international scholarships reduce cost, but may not cover full cost of study + living.