Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
PublicBachelor's to graduateFounded 1857Midsize suburbSEVP certified
About
Illinois State University (Illinois State or ISU) is a public research university in Normal, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University and is the oldest public university in Illinois. In fall 2026, the university enrolled 21,577 students. The university offers more than 200 academic degree programs across its seven colleges. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". The university's athletic teams compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and are members of the Missouri Valley Conference and the Missouri Valley Football Conference. They are known as the "Redbirds," in reference to the state bird, the cardinal.
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Cost per year
- Tuition and fees (out of state)
- US$28,218
- Estimated total for international students
- US$46,668
- Tuition and fees (in state, for comparison)
- US$16,152
- Total cost for in-state students
- US$34,602
International students at public universities pay the out-of-state rate. The estimated total adds housing, food and books to that tuition; it is derived from Scorecard figures, so check the university's own cost page.
Students
- Undergraduates
- 19,057
- Graduate students
- 2,439
- International undergraduates
- 1%
- Students per teacher
- 19 to 1
Admissions
- Admission rate
- 88%
- SAT
- Reading and writing 500–620 · Maths 490–590
- ACT
- 21–27
Test scores show the middle 50% of admitted students.
Outcomes
- Graduation rate
- 67%
- Median earnings 10 years after starting
- US$67,557
Earnings are for students who received US federal aid, so they may not reflect international graduates.
Programmes (151)
Bachelor's degrees66 subjects
Accounting and Related ServicesAgriculture, GeneralAllied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsAnthropologyApparel and TextilesArea StudiesBiochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyBiology, GeneralBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsCell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical SciencesChemistryClinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied ProfessionsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCommunication and Media StudiesComputer ScienceComputer Software and Media ApplicationsComputer Systems Networking and TelecommunicationsComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementConstruction ManagementCriminal Justice and CorrectionsDesign and Applied ArtsDietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesDrama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftEconomicsEnergy Systems Technologies/TechniciansEngineering Technologies/Technicians, GeneralEnglish Language and Literature, GeneralFamily and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, GeneralFinance and Financial Management ServicesFine and Studio ArtsGeography and CartographyGeological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesGermanic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsGraphic CommunicationsHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesHistoryHuman Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesIndustrial Production Technologies/TechniciansInsuranceInternational BusinessJournalismLegal Support ServicesLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesManagement Information Systems and ServicesManagement Sciences and Quantitative MethodsMarketingMathematicsMusicNatural Resources Conservation and ResearchParks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities ManagementPhilosophyPhysicsPolitical Science and GovernmentPsychology, GeneralPublic HealthPublic Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingRomance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsSocial WorkSociologySpecial Education and TeachingSports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasVisual and Performing Arts, Other
Master's degrees42 subjects
Accounting and Related ServicesAgriculture, GeneralAllied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsAnthropologyBiology, GeneralBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsChemistryClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCommunication and Media StudiesComputer ScienceComputer Software and Media ApplicationsComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralCriminal Justice and CorrectionsCurriculum and InstructionData AnalyticsDietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesDrama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftEconomicsEducational Administration and SupervisionEnglish Language and Literature, GeneralEnglish Language and Literature/Letters, OtherFamily and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, GeneralFine and Studio ArtsGeological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesHistoryIndustrial Production Technologies/TechniciansLinguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesManagement Sciences and Quantitative MethodsMathematicsMusicPolitical Science and GovernmentPsychology, GeneralRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingRomance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsSocial WorkSociologySpecial Education and TeachingSports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessStudent Counseling and Personnel ServicesTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasVisual and Performing Arts, Other
Doctoral degrees9 subjects
Biology, GeneralClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCurriculum and InstructionEducational Administration and SupervisionEnglish Language and Literature, GeneralRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingSpecial Education and TeachingTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Professional degrees (MD, JD and similar)2 subjects
Communication Disorders Sciences and ServicesRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Post-baccalaureate certificates10 subjects
Business Administration, Management and OperationsComputer Software and Media ApplicationsDietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesEthnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesLibrary Science and AdministrationManagement Sciences and Quantitative MethodsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingSecurity Science and TechnologySocial WorkSpecial Education and Teaching
Graduate certificates22 subjects
AnthropologyBiological and Biomedical Sciences, OtherBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyComputer Software and Media ApplicationsComputer Systems AnalysisComputer Systems Networking and TelecommunicationsComputer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementDietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesEducational Administration and SupervisionEducational/Instructional Media DesignEthnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesGeological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesGerontologyLibrary Science and AdministrationManagement Sciences and Quantitative MethodsQuality Control and Safety Technologies/TechniciansRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingSecurity Science and TechnologySocial WorkSpecial Education and TeachingTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Subjects and degree levels reported to the US Department of Education. See the university's course catalogue for course-by-course details.