Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Normal, Illinois |
| Online | illinoisstate.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Illinois State University, located in the twin cities of Bloomington-Normal in central Illinois, sits approximately 130 miles southwest of Chicago. Founded in 1857 as Illinois' first public university, ISU occupies a 1,000-acre campus featuring both historic and modern facilities, including the iconic Fell Hall and the Bone Student Center. The university maintains strong academic programs in education, business, and nursing, reflecting its origins as a teacher training institution while having evolved into a comprehensive public university. The campus houses approximately 6,000 students in residence halls and apartment-style living facilities, with most first-year students required to live on campus. ISU competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Redbirds, participating in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
ISU is rated within the top 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Illinois State University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#493 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#149 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#23 in Best Colleges in Illinois
#6 in Best Public Colleges in Illinois
#452 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#27 in Best Value Colleges in Illinois
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1000/1210 |
| ACT | 21/27 |
| GPA | 3.41 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Apr 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $55 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Illinois Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $830 |
| Other Fees | $3,330 |
| Room and Board | $10,602 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,856 |
| Total One Year Cost | $32,458 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $830 |
| Other Fees | $3,330 |
| Room and Board | $10,602 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,856 |
| Total One Year Cost | $44,299 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 20% |
| Education | 18% |
| Social Sciences | 6% |
| Health Professions | 6% |
| Communication | 5% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Illinois State University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=145813 IPEDS survey data for Illinois State University.
Current students may use the Illinois State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024