Fast Facts

Founded 1950
Headquarters Chicago, IL
Programs Worldwide 100+
IES Abroad Courses 1,200+
Countries 21
Cities 36
Alumni 80,000+
Distinguished Alumni
  • John Irving, Vienna ‘64 – author, The Cider House Rules, The World According to Garp, A Prayer for Owen Meany, et al.
  • Daniel Quinn, Vienna ’55 – author, Ishmael
  • Janet Napolitano, London ‘78 – U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, 2009-present, Governor of Arizona 2003-2009
  • Mary Ann Peters, Paris ‘71 – Provost US Navy War College 2009-present, Ambassador to Bangladesh in 2000-2003
  • Willard Huyck, Paris '66 - Screenwriter, director and producer. Created screenplay for American Graffiti and others.
  • Thomas Tusher, Vienna ‘62 – former President and COO of Levi Strauss & Co.
  • Heather Richardson Higgins, Durham '70 - President, Randolph Foundation, Political Commentator and Author
  • Dr. Donald R. Hopkins, Vienna '61 - Vice President and Director of Programs at The Carter Center, MacArthur Fellow
  • William G. "Bill" Durden, Freiburg '70 - President of Dickinson College, 1999-present
  • Seth Kugel, Paris '90 - journalist, New York Times "Frugal Traveler," 2010-present
  • Richard Ryan, Vienna '63 - former President and CEO of DeKalb Genetics
School of Record University of Rochester
Student Body Demographics Ethnicity:
  • African American/Black: 2.9%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander: 6.2%
  • Caucasian: 74.5%
  • Did Not Supply Information: 6.1%
  • Hispanic: 5.1%
  • Multi-racial: 5.0%
  • Native American Indian: .2%

Year in School:

  • Freshman: .3%
  • Sophomore: 9.5%
  • Junior: 77.2%
  • Senior: 12.8%
  • Other: .2%
Minimum G.P.A 3.0 out of 4.0
Financial Aid & Scholarships $2.3 million in need- and merit-based aid
Yearly Student Enrollment 5,700
Our Consortium 200+ colleges & universities
International Partner Universities 90+
Fun Firsts
  • First to appoint a Dean of Students
  • First to have a Diversity Initiative
  • First to offer Customized Programs
  • First to begin formalized program reviews to ensure academic excellence
  • First to conduct joint faculty seminars for U.S. and international faculty
  • First to publish an educational tool to evaluate study abroad programs, the IES Abroad MAP (Model Assessment Practice)
  • First to conduct a 50-year longitudinal alumni study of the impact of study abroad
  • First to conduct annual risk assessment audits and to adopt a statement of Ethical Principles
  • First to complete the Forum on Education Abroad’s Category 2b Quality Improvement Program (QUIP) review