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Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Illinois State University (ISU) is a comprehensive public university located in Normal, Illinois. Established in 1857, ISU is the oldest public higher education institution in the state. With a sprawling 490-acre campus, the university offers a diverse range of academic programs and fields of study across its six colleges.
ISU is renowned for its strong academic reputation, offering over 160 undergraduate majors and 100 graduate programs, including professional degrees in education, business, and nursing. The university is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the Midwest. ISU prides itself on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for its students, promoting intellectual growth, personal development, and social responsibility.
Apart from its academic excellence, ISU provides countless opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities. The campus hosts over 400 registered student organizations, covering a wide range of interests and passions. Students can participate in clubs, intramural sports, cultural organizations, and volunteer opportunities. The university also encourages students to explore leadership roles and develop essential skills outside the classroom.
Overall, Illinois State University offers a dynamic and well-rounded educational experience, combining rigorous academic programs, a vibrant campus life, and a commitment to student success. With its well-established reputation and strong community-focused approach, ISU continues to attract students from all over the country, providing them with a supportive and enriching environment to pursue their academic and personal goals.
Illinois State University is a public university located in Normal, IL and set in an urban environment. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 89%. The freshman retention rate at Illinois State University is 81.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 66%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is April 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is May 1.
To find out more about what Illinois State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
18,450
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
89%
Acceptance Rate
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
66%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. What are the admission requirements for Illinois State University?
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 18,589 in 2024. Illinois State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Test Scores
35% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 10% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 4% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 27% between 1,200 and 1,399, 51% between 1,000 and 1,199, 16% of the students between 800 and 999, and 2% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 9, 47 between 24-29, 39 in the range between 18-23, and 5 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2024 was 24 while the average GPA was 3.6. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Illinois State University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 550 and an average SAT Math score of 540.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by April 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is May 1.
89%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Illinois State University was 81.3%, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 66%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best fit for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Illinois State University in 2024 was 20,989.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 2.9% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 18,450, 139 of which were foreign students. 1,814 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 8,111 male and 10,656 female full-time students in 2024, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality. 568 full-time graduate men and 838 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 515, while the number of Afro-American students was 2,123. 2,550 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 729 identified with more than one race. The school also had 5 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 15 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 98 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Illinois State University.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $12,066, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $24,132 for students coming from out of state. Tuition costs at Illinois State University for international students stood at $24,132. Full-time students in 2024 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $4,078.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $24,132 | $4,078 | $28,210 |
| In-State | $12,066 | $4,078 | $16,144 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $830.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2024, room and board cost at Illinois State University amounted to $11,754 a year.
| Tuition | $ 12,066 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,754 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 830 |
| Total Expense | $ 24,650 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at Illinois State University.
According to the most recent data, 2,602 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $15,020.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 5,878 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Illinois State University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 10,286. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $30,655,174, and state $44,038,062. The students of Illinois State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $39,246,281, and external in the amount of $2,331,489.
$4,150
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 7,261 students overall (including freshmen) at Illinois State University in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 2,451 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $30,655,174 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $972,083. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $20,032,726. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $2,269,258 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2024, this ratio at Illinois State University was 19:1. That means that there were 19 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 1,233 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 549 male and 684 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Illinois State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Illinois State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some info about students' life at Illinois State University.
Its campus spans 1,180 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
This school has 459 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 8 and female students 13. Students who have a talent for music can join the Illinois State University band or chorus. For those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. You have a passion for media and communication? Illinois State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Illinois State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Illinois State University.
All in all, campus life at Illinois State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Illinois State University.
Career Counselling
At Illinois State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students.
FAQ
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Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL.
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Illinois State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Illinois State University is 89%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Illinois State University is 81.3%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.