Illinois State University
Illinois State University

Illinois State University

Normal, IL, USA
Public
4 Year

Overview

Founded in 1857, Illinois State University is a 4-year institution in central Illinois and the first public university in the state. The ISU campus hosts six colleges and schools as well as an Honors Program and Milner Library. In addition, ISU is home to Gamma Phi Circus—the oldest collegiate circus in America and one of only two still performing shows for the public. For students living on campus, ISU offers 17 themed living-learning residence communities in subjects such as Music, Mathematics, and Information Technology. Outside of academia, students can take advantage of ISU’s 400+ clubs and organizations or join the varsity Esports team!

Acceptance Rate:
86%
Average Net Price:
$20,933
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.6
Average ACT Composite
23
Average SAT Composite
1132

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$20,933
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$14,121
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$23,479
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$11,584
Books and Supplies
$830
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$12,904
$30k - $48k
$13,805
$48k - $75k
$18,239
$75k - $110k
$24,370
$110k+
$26,478
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
65%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
30%
Average Aid Per Year
$11,619
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
30%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,230
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$6,492

 

Students receiving state aid
49%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$5027
Students receiving federal aid
66%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,230
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$116,271,008
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$30,075,664

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
49%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,247
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$15,250
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$186
Students receiving federal loans
47%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,013
Average Other Loans Per Year
$14,525

 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
0
100
86%
Acceptance Rate
19596
Students Applied
94%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
1814
Transfer Students Admitted

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes
Test Optional
Item is checked
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Item is checked
Yes
AP Course Credit
Item is checked
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Item is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Fall Regular DecisionApril 1June 1
Spring Regular DecisionNovember 1
Application Fee
$55
Fee waivers available
Applications Accepted
Coalition Application
Coalition Application
Online Application
Online Application

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
96%
Out-Of-State Students
3%
13%
Submitting ACT
48%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 23
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1132
0
1600
SAT Percentiles

Math
25th
500
75th
600
Reading
25th
500
75th
610
3.6
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA

3.75+
32%
3.50 - 3.74
17%
3.25 - 3.49
16%
3.00 - 3.24
16%
2.50 - 2.99
17%
2.00 - 2.49
2%
Students Enrolled By Household Income

< $30k
448
$30k - $48k
353
$48k - $75k
296
$75k - $110k
305
$110k+
692

Admissions Resources

Admissions: visit page
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Telephone: 800-366-2478
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
20,683
Total Number of Undergrads
18,055
0
100
50%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
68%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
19:1
US National: 21:1
Academic Calendar

Semester

Non Traditional Learning
  • Online Classes
  • Online Undergrad Degrees
  • Summer Sessions
  • Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
  • Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
  • ROTC Army
  • Study Abroad
  • Honors Program
  • Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
36%
20-39 Students
50%
40-99 Students
8%
100+ Students
3%
 

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
92

Faculty Overview

0
100
66%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Male
Female
Ethnicity

African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
White
Hispanic
Multi-Racial
Unknown

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
44%
56%
Residency
In-State Students
96%
Out-Of-State Students
3%
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
40
Countries Represented
48
Ethnicity
African American
11%
Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
Hispanic
13%
White
69%
Multiracial
4%
Unknown
1%
Percent of First Generation Students
30%
Student Organizations
459
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Item is checked
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
30%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
35%
Freshman Living on Campus

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Redbirds
School Colors
red and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Missouri Valley Conference
Total Male Athletes
230
Total Female Athletes
189
Intramural Sports
12
Sports Club
25
Sports Team (Men)
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
Sports Team (Women)
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
Illinois State University Athletics: visit page

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Item is checked
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Item is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$51,600
Top 5 Cities
Chicago
Bloomington
Peoria
Saint Louis
Springfield
Top 5 Employers
State Farm
Illinois State University
Caterpillar Inc.
COUNTRY Financial
Chicago Public Schools
Top 5 Sectors
Education
Business Development
Sales
Operations
Information Technology
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$15,250
Loan Default Rate
4%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$186
Really great school for many different majors. I am a business major, and could not be happier with the professionalism and personal attention for all of the professors in the college of business. When here that Illinois State is a big school with a small school feel its not just a line to get you to come here. It's true you are not a number at Illinois State University.
Paul from Pocahontas, IL
I have learned a lot this past year, not just academics but how to be independent as well as getting involved and making the experience worth it.
Becca from Carol Stream, IL
I will be a sophmore in the fall of 2012 . I attended last year and my colledge experience has changed my life! I just love it , I work really hard and enjoy going there!
Katlyn from Lockport, IL
During my first year of college at Illinois State University I have learned an abundant amount of information. Being an individual who is studying psychology has only boosted my confidence in pursing my profession in the business world. Illinois State University hasn't only taught me a lot of things academically, I have also learned a lot about life in general; like the fact that I need to get adapted to a more diverse environment and how to actually survive the college life on my own. Attending Illinois State University has expanded my intellectual ability as well as my attention span, and as a current student I can honestly say that I have learned a lot here.
Porscha from Chicago, IL
The teachers at this school are unlike any high school teacher; they really care about you and whether or not you pass or fail. They are always willing to make time for you after or outside of class, meet personally and talk with you about your grades and give you opportunities to do extra credit. The school also just opened a tutoring center which is FREE and open to all students! They offer tutoring in a variety of classes, which has greatly helped me out in the past with bringing my grades up to my satisfaction! All of the subjects you can choose from are SO interesting, whether they apply to your major or are just general education. I learned so much about other areas of study other than my own.
Alexandra from Homewood, IL
I'm going to be an elementary teacher, and Illinois State is the best university for education. I've heard it from a lot of academic professionals. I know I will learn so much about teaching. I can't wait!
Courtney from Wayne, IL
ISU provides a great atmosphere for students to be successful throughout their college career! There are so many opportunites to better yourself as a students!
Christina from Hickory Hills, IL
ISU is a great place to learn and grow as an adult. There are so many great people, professors, and faculty. It's not too small and it's not too big. It is great to be a Redbird!
Kelsey from Island Lake, IL
If you are looking for a college that has a lot of tutoring this is the one everyone helps each other out. There is no such thing as every man for themselves as soon as you step foot on this campus you feel like your home. Overall Illinois state university is the best college so far.
Shauny from Chicago, IL
ISU has a lot of great features. Professors are friendly and I feel I am getting a good education. I enjoy living on campus and meeting new people every day.
Vince from Plainfield, IL