Illinois State University
Normal, United States
- Cost of Living$ 22,128
- Tuition Fee From$ 18,012
- Country Rank#366
- Batch Strength20,233
- Global Diversity-
- Gender Ratio-
Overview
About
Illinois State University (ISU) was the first public university in Illinois, established in 1857. It is located in Illinois' Normal. It was founded as Illinois State Normal University in 1857. According to the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Illinois State is regarded as one of the country's top universities for producing teachers. The university's varied community of scholars strives to create an environment that combines small-college flair with opportunities open at a major university. The university's teaching, public service, scholarships, and partnerships are all geared at fostering the highest standards. In order to serve the people of Illinois, the institution invests all of its time and money into building a welcoming community.
Illinois State comprises a total of 20,087 students, out of which 18,250 are undergraduate students and the rest 2,628 are graduate students. As a first-choice institution, the university has strong enrollment while also maintaining academic excellence along with small class sizes. The university accepts over 1000+ overseas students from over 47 states and 74 countries. Every 1 in 4 students at the university is from an underrepresented background. The institute offers programmes through its 7 academic colleges, namely -
- College of Applied Science & Technology
- Arts & Sciences
- Business
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Nursing
- Milner Library
The Excellence and Innovation Award for Civic Learning and Community Engagement, the Elective Classification for Community Engagement, and the Voter Friendly Campus certifications have all been given to Illinois State. These awards show the university's dedication to civic engagement on a campus-wide level, which is a key value of Illinois State University. Student jobs when studying at the university encompass a wide range of interests, skill levels, and time constraints. For university students, ISU Jobs is a fantastic resource for working and earning while studying. During the academic year, the typical student employment job is 10 hours per week, with the expected hours per week varying by department and role. No student employee at the university may work more than 28 hours per week in any job.
Illinois State’s retention rate is the highest in the US standing at over 84.2% while the university’s high graduation rate of 68.1% is higher than the national average. It is the only institution in Illinois with advisers who are expressly equipped to interact with first-year students. That is one of the reasons why 79% of the university’s freshmen return for their sophomore year. With a student-to-staff ratio of 19:1, 85% of classes are taught by professors rather than graduate assistants, and 97% of professors possess the highest degree in their specialities.
Ranking
Illinois State is one of the top 100 national public institutions and the state's oldest public university. It is among the top colleges not only in Illinois but also in the US and has been recognized and awarded by multiple platforms based on several performance indicators. Washington Monthly features Illinois State among the Best Bang for Buck Colleges in the Midwest, making it one of the best American values. Renowned ranking platforms such as QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education University Rankings, and US News & World Report have featured Illinois State University rankings based on set criteria. Some of the university's notable ranking achievements include -
- THE US College Rankings 2022 - #401 - 500
- Top Public Universities in America by Niche - #160
- Top Public Colleges by Forbes - #108 and Top Research Universities - #150
- Impact Rankings by Webometrics - #499
- eduRank’s Rankings of North American Universities - #248
Course-Wise Rankings
In the QS WUR-Rankings by Subject, Illinois State is rated #151-#200. According to US News & World Report, the nursing programme is ranked #120. The following are some of the subject rankings given to the university by eduRank -
- Liberal Arts & Social Sciences - #169
- Psychology - #160
- Medicine - #244
- Business - #132
- Biology - #235
- Mathematics - #148
- Computer Science - #231
- Economics - #133
- Chemistry - #255
- Arts & Design - #181
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2023
#1201 - 1400
#1535
2022
-
#1535
Facilities
By engaging themselves in the various student organisations and clubs, and attending multiple virtual and in-person events, students can stay connected with campus life. The university campus provides students with state-of-the-art facilities that assist them throughout their university life and is not limited to only academic-related experiences. Some of the popular Illinois State University facilities include a library with a dedicated librarian for every study area, career preparation facilities, university recreation, and a plethora of clubs and societies for students to pick from.
Additionally, it also provides students with the opportunity to engage in on-campus sports by being part of the university’s award-winning sports team. Moreover, every student who joins automatically becomes a member of its cutting-edge Student Fitness Centre which offers group classes and access to personal trainers. The exceptional dining facilities give students options to explore fresh, tasty, and healthy meal options while also having the chance to interact with qualified dieticians, attend special meal events and activities, and experience an array of cuisines.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
ISU Entry Requirements
For the autumn and spring semesters, Illinois State University opens its admissions to overseas students. The application process at university is very similar for both undergraduate and graduate programmes. International students seeking direct admission must meet all the Illinois State University entry requirements for entering freshmen, transfer students, or graduate students, including the application fee and any additional criteria.
General Requirements
- Original Academic Transcripts of previous education along with the translated copies
- English Language Proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test) specifically for the Non-Native English speaking countries
- Financial Documents
- A valid passport copy
Requirements For Freshmen
Aside from the aforementioned documents, international freshmen students are not obliged to submit SAT or ACT results unless they have completed three or more years of high school in the United States. However, submitting SAT or ACT results may qualify students for university scholarships.
Transfer Students
- Some academic programmes require college coursework as a prerequisite
- Excellent academic standing at the previous college attended
Graduate Students
- Scores from the GRE or GMAT, if relevant to the programme
- If applicable, a degree certificate and/or diploma
- Additional documents, as per the course requirements
Acceptance For Three-Year Degrees From India
Illinois State University will accept three-year degrees from Indian universities if -
- The degree is the result of an A or greater NAAC accreditation CGPA and a graduating average percentage mark of 55% or above.
- The degree is the result of a NAAC certification CGPA of B or above and a graduating average percentage mark of 60% or higher (i.e., second division or higher).
- The student possesses a master's degree in any discipline or a postgraduate year in the same field.
ISU Fees
In-state students at Illinois State pay $14,757 in tuition, while out-of-state students pay $26,281. The institution is more expensive than the $11,286 in-state tuition average across the country. The tuition for out-of-state students is less than the $27,394 national average for out-of-state tuition. The Illinois State University fees vary depending on the course and level, and the fees may or may not cover expenses for on-campus health clinics, student gyms, student centres, and library services. A list of the university course fees is shown below, along with an estimate of their annual costs:
- MS - $14.06 K - 21.78 K
- MBA/PGDM - $21.17 K
- B.E./B.Tech - $22.54 K - 26.25 K
- B.Sc. - $21.04 K - 26.25 K
- MIM - $14.06 K - 15.93 K
- M.A. - $14.06 K - 17.8 K
- BBA - $23.29 K - 26.25 K
- MFA - $16.4 K - 28.11 K
Placement
Illinois State offers its students a variety of internship and employment opportunities. The institute hosts yearly career fairs to give its students a good opportunity to network with potential employers. Ten years after graduation, alumni earn $12,000 more than the national average. As one of the best institutions in the country, it is dedicated to providing top-notch education and research standards. With a starting pay package of $50,000 annually, graduates are hired by major companies all over the world via Illinois State University placements.
Scholarship
Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by Illinois State University as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the Illinois State University through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
- Merit-based scholarships
- Need-based scholarships
- Country-specific scholarships
- College-specific scholarships
- Student-specific scholarships
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the university. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend Illinois State University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or in a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodation near the Illinois State University, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
The cost of attending college in Normal, Illinois as an overseas student varies greatly. Tuition at public institutions is less expensive on average than tuition at private universities. However, the cost of living in Normal, Illinois is lower than the national average, and housing is significantly less expensive. It is advisable for students to plan ahead of time for all expenditures, including tuition, living expenses, textbooks, lodgings, and healthcare, to ensure they can pay the complete cost.
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
Off-Campus Accommodation |
$ 1297 |
On-Campus Accommodation |
$ 1090 |
Transportation |
$ 106 |
Food Cost |
$ 327 |
Utility Cost |
$ 225 |
Entertainment |
$ 28 |
Groceries |
$ 46 |
Clothes |
$ 40 |
Health Insurance |
$ 80 |
Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation |
$ 2094 |
Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation |
$ 1887 |
Annual Cost of Living |
$ 25128 |