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Summary
Illinois State University is a public institution that was founded in 1857. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,594, its setting is city, and the campus size is 490 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Illinois State University's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 156. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,726 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $20,016 (2012-13).
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.
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Illinois State University is Illinois' first public university, founded in 1857 as a normal university to prepare the state's teachers. The University is now a comprehensive institution whose early emphasis on education continues to shape the University. Illinois State University works as a diverse communicty of scholars with a commitment to fostering a small-college atmosphere with large-university opportunities. ISU promotes the highest academic standards init's teaching, scholarship, public service and the connections among them. ISU devotes all its resources and energies to creating the most supportive and productive community possible to serve the citizens of Illinois and beyond. Our values include: the provision of an environment emphasizing individualized attention, public opportunity, active pursuit of learning and scholarship, diversity, and civic engagement. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1857 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | city |
| 2011 Endowment | $69,194,754 |
Applying
When applying to Illinois State University, it's important to note the application deadline is March 1. The application fee at Illinois State University is $40. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 63.4 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 63.4% |
| Application deadline | March 1 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | N/A |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Illinois State University is 19:1, and the school has 31.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Illinois State University include: Education; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Social Sciences; and Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 84.5 percent.
Student Life
Illinois State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,594, with a gender distribution of 44.8 percent male students and 55.2 percent female students. Illinois State University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 21,310 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
Illinois State University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, 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). Of the students at Illinois State University, 16 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Illinois State University.
| Students who have cars on campus | 16% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | Yes |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At Illinois State University, 58.2 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $9,457.
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 | $12,726 (2012-13) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $20,016 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $9,364 (2012-13) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
