Illinois State University

#160	National Universities

Summary

Illinois State University is a public institution that was founded in 1857. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,314, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,140 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Illinois State University's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 160. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,230 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,190 (2011-12).

Illinois State University (ISU) is located in the town of Normal, about 130 miles southwest of Chicago. Undergraduates at Illinois State can choose from dozens of degrees, and master’s students can major in many fields as well, including business, education, and social sciences and humanities. First year students at ISU can take the Learning in Communities seminar, allowing them to attend one of their first college courses in small groups with their peers and learn about each other and the university.

ISU students can also join more than 300 student organizations, write for the Vidette student newspaper, or play an intramural sport. More competitive athletes can try out for one of the many Illinois State Redbirds varsity sports teams, which compete in the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference. ISU students can also spend their free time checking out the parks, golf course, and museum in Normal, or by attending one of ISU’s many School of Theatre productions. A few of Illinois State’s notable alumni performed in these productions and went on to become famous television actors, such as Jane Lynch, who stars in Glee, and Laurie Metcalf, who appeared in Roseanne.

School mission (as provided by the school):
Illinois State University is Illinois' first public university, founded in 1857 as a normal university to prepare the state's teachers. The University... Read More

General Information

School type	public, coed college
Year founded	1857
Religious affiliation	N/A
Academic calendar	semester
Setting	urban
2010 Endowment	$59,521,293

Applying

When applying to Illinois State University, it's important to note the application deadline is March 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due April 1. The application fee at Illinois State University is $40. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 66.9 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity	selective
Fall 2010 acceptance rate	67%
Application deadline	March 1
SAT/ACT scores must be received by	April 1

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Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at Illinois State University is 19:1, and the school has 31.5 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Illinois State University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Education; Health Professions and Related Programs; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Social Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 84.0 percent.

Class sizes

Student-faculty ratio

19:1

4-year graduation rate

45% - Medium

Five most popular majors for 2010 graduates

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services	20%
Education	19%
Health Professions and Related Programs	7%
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs	6%
Social Sciences	6%

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Student Life

Illinois State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,314, with a gender distribution of 44.4 percent male students and 55.6 percent female students. Illinois State University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

Total enrollment	21,134
Student gender distribution

Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity

Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority

Collegiate athletic association	NCAA I

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Campus Info & Services

Illinois State University offers a number of student services including placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. Illinois State University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Illinois State University.

Students who have cars on campus	N/A
Health insurance offered	Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer	Yes

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Paying for School

At Illinois State University, 56.2 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $9,501.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

In-state tuition and fees	$12,230 (2011-12)
Out-of-state tuition and fees	$19,190 (2011-12)
Room and board	$9,090 (2011-12) - Medium
Financial aid statistics