B+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Academics
    B
  2. Value
    A
  3. Diversity
    B-
  4. Campus
    A-
  5. Athletics
    A-
  6. Party Scene
    A
  7. Professors
    B-
  8. Location
    A-
  9. Dorms
    B
  10. Campus Food
    A
  11. Student Life
    A-
  12. Safety
    B-
View Full Report Card
Illinois State University is ...
Public
Athletic Division
NCAA Division I-AA
Athletic Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
Address
North and School Streets
Normal, IL 61790
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
74%
SAT Range
—
ACT Range
22-26
Application Fee
$50
SAT/ACT
Required
High School GPA
Required
Will You Get In?

Test Scores and GPA for Illinois State University

Cost

Net Price
$16,337/ year
National
$15,431
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Net Price by Household Income
  • <$30k
    $11,958/ year
  • $30-48k
    $13,432/ year
  • $49-75k
    $19,923/ year
  • $76-110k
    $24,165/ year
  • $110k+
    $24,993/ year

Academics

Professors
B-
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
19:1
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.160 responses
60%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.160 responses

Majors

Most Popular Majors
  • Elementary Education
    234 Graduates
  • Finance
    215 Graduates
  • Marketing
    199 Graduates
  • Management Sciences and Information Systems
    192 Graduates
  • Nursing
    187 Graduates
  • Special Education and Teaching
    176 Graduates
  • Family Studies and Consumer Sciences
    159 Graduates
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities
    150 Graduates
  • Psychology
    150 Graduates
  • Criminal Justice and Safety Studies
    149 Graduates

Students

Full-Time Enrollment
17,040Undergrads
Undergrads Over 25
4%
Pell Grant
29%
Varsity Athletes
3%
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on 111 responses
Report
  • Hardworking but fun
    37%
  • Average
    16%
  • Chill
    13%
  • Sociable
    10%
  • Unique
    8%
  • Hangover
    5%
  • Bro
    4%

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.205 responses
Poll
51%
of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.244 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on 119 responses
Report
  • Big school, with a small school feel
    40%
  • Friendly and comfortable
    40%
  • Wannabe Party with brutal cops
    6%
  • Public and easy to get into. Drug/Party mania.
    5%
  • Friendly and comfortable, but small
    3%
  • Easy to get in, hard to stay in.
    3%
  • Brutal cops. Small with a big feel. Challenging.
    2%

After Illinois State University

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$45,100/ year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
72%
National
47%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
96%
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

2,528 reviews
All Categories
My experience at Illinois state university is something I will never forget for many different reasons. Illinois state university is located in normal il but it's anything but normal. Illinois state university will forever have a place in my life. Illinois state university has something for every single person. Illinois state university is huge on diversity and offers something for everyone! It's important for everyone to feel like they have a place. The campus is amazing and it's very clean! It's a great environment to come to everyday. The local area around Illinois state university is great, lots of shopping and good places to eat and lots of local places to get part time jobs. Illinois state university has so much to offer!
Review Illinois State University
I am not a student athlete, but I am still involved with the athletics at ISU. I feel like most sports here still get students involved to help support our redbird family. Team performance is always good, we're a D1 school, even if we lose, we still do amazing! Fan support is amazing, it is so nice to see alumni come back and support sporting events. The student section at basketball games and football games is so much fun to be apart of, it really gets students involved and feel as if they are apart of something. Our school spirit is great, all I see when I walk to class is red, everywhere! I am always telling people how great ISU is and that they should come visit or even apply here. Athletics don't just have to be about who's on camera, there are plenty of intramural sports that so many students take part in. They, too, have very nice facilities to use like Horton Field House, the recreational center, etc.
I love Illinois State University's large university but small campus feel. I have always felt safe on campus and love the quad. The quad is beautiful and a great place to hangout with friends, play yard games, do homework, and enjoy our Chicago weather. Illinois State has so many different clubs and organizations you can join, there is something for everyone to find. I am apart of a huge organization, University Program Board. I have felt welcomed in everything I do here. I also enjoy going into Uptown to grab some dinner or do some shopping. Uptown is a great small town with multiple restaurant types and a bunch of cute boutiques and shops. There is something for everyone in Uptown. The town of Normal also has a great bus system, so if you are like me and do not have a car right away, there are easy ways to get places around the whole town. Overall, Illinois State University is a great university in a fantastic town filled with all kinds of opportunities.