Undecided major at Illinois College
Being an undecided major isn’t a problem to solve: it’s the best place to start. If you’re looking at colleges for undecided students in Illinois, you’ve found one of the best. At Illinois College in Jacksonville, students with an undecided major explore with confidence, choose with clarity and graduate on time. Undecided in college is actually one of the best things you can do.
Even your classmates who think they know, don’t. More than 44% of students end up graduating from IC with a different degree than the major they listed on their application for admission. And thanks to IC’s Finish in 4 promise, they graduate on time too.
That’s not a failure of planning. It’s part of learning who you are, exploring your options. That makes Illinois College one of the best colleges for undecided students in Illinois to explore majors without delaying graduation.
Illinois College is the kind of environment you deserve: a place where you can discover what you want to do and who you want to become without losing momentum toward graduating in four years. It’s not about indecision; it’s about exploration.
How to choose a college major (even if you're undecided)
From the start, you’ll have:
- An academic advisor to guide course selection and degree planning
- An academic coach to help you build habits, stay on track, and navigate decisions with confidence
- A career coach to identify what energizes you and where your strengths lie.
- Peer mentors who have been there too.
Undecided students are moved to the front of the line for coaching and proactive pre-advising, so you start strong from day one. We help in choosing a college major every step of the way.
Career clarity starts early
At many colleges, undecided students drift. At this small, private college in Illinois, exploration is structured and built into classes for freshmen.
In your first-year seminar, you’ll build a resume early and complete a strengths and values assessment called PathwayU to connect what you learn to real career clusters and next steps, all supported by professional staff and peer career mentors.
Campus culture built on discovery and engagement
At IC, changing your mind isn’t a failure; it’s part of how you learn. You’ll meet students who started down one path in one direction and found a better one, and faculty who expect exploration as a normal part of college. Wondering what the best college for undecided students is? Tell us what you’re curious about and we’ll help you map your next step, because college should be a place where you learn new things, including new things about yourself
Undecided at Illinois College
Choosing a major at 17 or 18 can feel like you’re supposed to pick your whole future in one click. At IC, you don’t have to.
Here, being undecided is a purposeful, supported stage with real structure behind it. It’s not about indecision; it’s about exploration:
- Your first courses still count toward graduation.
- Your career advising is proactive.
- Your exploration is guided so you maintain momentum while you discover what fits.
Some students find their right fit in the first semester. Others take three or four. All of them use IC’s road map to get there without losing momentum. That’s the power of attending a small, private liberal arts college designed to help students like you explore majors without losing momentum.
Can I graduate on time if I’m undecided?
Yes! At Illinois College, students who start as an undecided major graduate in four years. Most majors are 40–60 credit hours out of a 120-credit degree. That means you have room to explore — without delaying graduation. Every course you’ll take in your first four semesters moves you forward through general education requirements or prerequisites that work across multiple fields.
Starting undecided doesn’t mean starting late. It means starting smart. You are not behind - you’re right on time.
The Undecided Roadmap
How long can you stay undecided at Illinois College?
IC offers you a four-semester roadmap where you’ll explore, discover, decide, and build your major with purpose. It makes IC one of the best colleges for undecided majors or those exploring majors in college. Get the classes you need to finish in four years.
Explore with Purpose - Semester 1
You’re matched with an academic advisor, an academic coach, and a career coach. First-year seminar and general education courses connect you with faculty across disciplines and help you identify what energizes you and where your strengths show up.
Test and Discover - Semester 2
With your support team, you’ll choose one or two “trial” courses that go a level deeper in areas you’re curious about. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with departments, sit in on panels, or learn from student leaders and mentors.
Refine and Connect - Semester 3
Most students declare by this point, often after a high-engagement course or a strong mentor connection. Advisors help map the rest of your requirements, and you’ll get introduced to faculty in your chosen area.
Commit and Build - Semester 4
You formalize your plan of study, and many students add a minor, second major, or a self-designed direction that reflects what they discovered in year one. Exploration doesn’t slow you down here—it strengthens your path.
For Parents and Families
It’s completely reasonable to ask:
“Is paying private college tuition worth it if my student is still figuring it out?”
The answer is yes! At IC, undecided students aren’t drifting. Located in Jacksonville, Illinois, IC is a small private college built to help students explore majors in college with confidence. Your student will be supported by a system personalized for them to make sure they:
- Make on-time progress toward graduation - they will Finish in 4, guaranteed.
- Get structured advising checkpoints, not vague encouragement
- Connect exploration to career direction early
- Build durable skills that employers actually hire for: communication, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership
Your investment isn’t paying for indecision. It’s paying for a guided process that helps your student build momentum, make a confident, informed choice, and Graduate READY for what’s next. All in four years.
Your Success Team
If you feel pressure to “have it all figured out,” you’re not alone. Many high school seniors worry that choosing the wrong major means choosing the wrong future. It doesn’t.
Just like nursing and engineering students, or any other major, you’ll have a built-in support network designed just for students still deciding to keep you moving forward. (and there are more of you than you think!)Your success team will include:
- Academic advisor
- Academic coach (success plan, habits, accountability, support)
- Career support from Life Design Studio certified coaches
- Peer career mentors who have been where you are
More than 44% of IC students change their major - and still graduate on time!
Outcomes That Matter
Unlike large public universities in Illinois, where advising can feel impersonal and changing majors can delay graduation, IC provides individualized academic advising support from the start.
Undecided doesn’t mean unprepared—it often leads to a better fit, stronger motivation, and greater confidence once students choose a path.
At IC, exploring early can lead to:
- Declaring a major with confidence (often by sophomore year)
- Adding a minor or second major strategically
- Stronger internship alignment because you understand your interests sooner
- A clearer story for employers and graduate schools: who you are, what you’re good at, and where you’re headed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will being an undecided major delay graduation?
Not at Illinois College. Your early courses are designed to count toward graduation and keep you on track while you explore. That’s why we promise that you’ll Finish in 4. - What if I choose something and then change my mind?
That’s normal—and expected. You’ll have support to adjust your plan without panic and without losing momentum. And we have several majors and programs to choose from when the time comes. - What if my parent wants me to pursue a specific major?
You’re not alone. IC gives you a structured way to explore responsibly, confirm fit, and build confidence in your choice—with coaching and advising that supports both student goals and family concerns. Many students double-major or add minors to personalize their education. - What if I’m interested in everything?
That’s a real strength here. You can explore broadly, then shape your path through a major + minor, double major, or a combined plan that reflects your strengths. During a campus visit, you can talk with professors about taking courses that help you explore your interests.
Get Started at Illinois College
If you’re searching for colleges for undecided students in Illinois, Illinois College gives you structure, support, and a clear path to graduate on time. You don’t need to have your whole life planned to start college. You just need a place designed to help you figure it out (and make sure it fits). Tell us what you’re curious about. We’ll help you map your next step.