<p>Also consider whether you are interested in a 5 yr BArch or 4+2 program. UIUC is a 4+2. My son starts at USC this fall. He wanted only a 5yr BArch program. The only exception was the U of Cincinnati due to its coop program. BTW, we live in the Chicago area. UIUC for some reason does not have the reputation it once had for architecture.</p>