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Illinois State University

#3 in Top Public Universities in Illinois
  • 4 Year
  • Normal, IL
  • 2,712 reviews
    How to Apply
    B+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      B
    2. Value
      A-
    3. Diversity
      B+
    4. Campus
      A-
    5. Athletics
      B+
    6. Party Scene
      A
    7. Professors
      B
    8. Location
      B+
    9. Dorms
      B
    10. Campus Food
      A-
    11. Student Life
      A
    12. Safety
      B-
    View Full Report Card
    Illinois State is an above-average public university located in Normal, Illinois. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 17,165 undergraduate students. The Illinois State acceptance rate is 89%. Popular majors include Elementary Education, Marketing, and Finance. Graduating 69% of students, Illinois State alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $39,600.
    About Illinois State University...
    Athletic Division
    NCAA Division I-FCS
    Athletic Conference
    Missouri Valley Conference
    Address
    100 N University St.
    Normal, IL 61761
    Website
    illinoisstate.edu

    Illinois State University Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Admissions

    Acceptance Rate
    89%
    Application Deadline
    Rolling Admissions
    SAT Range
    —
    ACT Range
    21-26
    Application Fee
    $50
    SAT/ACT
    Required
    High School GPA
    Required
    Early Decision/Early Action
    No

    Test Prep

    SAT and ACT Prep Options
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    • Guaranteed score improvement with smart feedback and progress tracking

    Cost

    Net Price
    $19,227/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $9,124/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    86%

    Academics

    Professors
    B
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    18:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    No
    81%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.165 responses
    59%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.173 responses
    60%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.173 responses

    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Elementary Education
      303 Graduates
    • Marketing
      230 Graduates
    • Finance
      226 Graduates
    • Nursing
      199 Graduates
    • Accounting
      193 Graduates
    • Management Sciences and Information Systems
      187 Graduates
    • Criminal Justice and Safety Studies
      177 Graduates
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities
      155 Graduates
    • Special Education and Teaching
      153 Graduates
    • Communications
      147 Graduates

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    17,165Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    1,165
    Undergrads Over 25
    3%
    Pell Grant
    30%
    Varsity Athletes
    2%
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 124 responses
    Report
    • Hardworking but fun
      39%
    • Average
      15%
    • Chill
      12%
    • Sociable
      11%
    • Unique
      7%
    • Hangover
      4%
    • Hardworking
      3%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    —
    Poll
    61%
    of students say that Greek life is average, and no one will treat you differently if you don't join.218 responses
    Poll
    51%
    of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.257 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 132 responses
    Report
    • Friendly and comfortable
      41%
    • Big school, with a small school feel
      37%
    • Easy to get in, hard to stay in.
      5%
    • Wannabe Party with brutal cops
      5%
    • Public and easy to get into. Drug/Party mania.
      5%
    • Friendly and comfortable, but small
      4%
    • Brutal cops. Small with a big feel. Challenging.
      2%

    After College

    Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
    $47,100/ year
    National
    $33,028
    Graduation Rate
    69%
    National
    49%
    Employed 2 Years After Graduation
    97%
    National
    83%
    83%
    of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.113 responses
    Colleges like Illinois State University
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    Illinois State University Reviews

    2,712 reviews
    All Categories
    Illinois State is an amazing place to go to school. To start, Illinois State has a beautiful campus in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Not only is everything within walking distance, but the campus is also an arboretum, featuring dozens of different exotic and beautiful trees scattered across the quad. Illinois State also features many amazing schools and professors. The music program at Illinois State is phenomenal, featuring three auditioning wind ensembles, a non-major wind ensemble, two jazz bands, three jazz combos, a symphony orchestra, a men’s choir, two women’s choirs, a concert choir, and Madrigal singers. The music education program is also amazing that is led by amazing professors that care about the success of all students. Illinois State is also a great place for business majors. State Farm works with Illinois State and gets many students wonderful internship opportunities and careers. Overall, Illinois State is an amazing school that everyone should consider going to!
    Start Your Review of Illinois State University
    Rate It!
    It is my first semester at ISU and while I am overwhelmed, I have been welcomed and supported by my professors. There is an overwhelming amount of kind teachers. I'm still trying to decide if I just got lucky this semester or if all of the faculty are this caring.
    The school provides large amounts of opportunities for students to do activities and meet other students/friends.
    While I am still trying to figure out how I am going to pay for all of this schooling, I'm feeling a little less stressed seeing other students that are in the same boat as me. My classes are not difficult but take a lot of time.
    I love the landscaping done on the quad, it definitely cheers up my early mornings walking in the sunlight and flowers. Big mood improver!
    I LOVE the school very much! The town is amazing, as is the people around it and the students who go there. The community is very welcoming and there is always something on campus to do. There are tons of good places on campus where you can spend your flex dollars but after those run out you'll have to eat at one of the two dining halls on campus. At first the dining halls are great but soon enough you'll get tired of the food and long for somethings else. The dorms are nice, I lived in Manchester last year and loved the sense of community it gave. However, if you plan on showering in the evenings be prepared for lukewarm temps and low water pressure. Also during the summer months the air conditioning will make your room freezing and during the winter sometimes the heat makes it a little too cold. ISU has tons of fun events throughout the school year such as the annual drag show, the annual concert, and many more. Overall there's no other school I would rather go to.