Overview of Illinois State University

Illinois State University is a public university situated in Normal, IL. Students can select from more than 200 academic majors and minors. A 20-to-1 student/faculty ratio backs courses, and about two-thirds of classes have fewer than 30 students. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 20,635 (18,107 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 45 percent male/55 percent female
• 93 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $14,516 (in-state); $26,040 (out-of-state)
• Books: $802
• Room and Board: $9,850
• Other Expenses: $5,640
• Total Cost: $30,808 (in-state); $42,332 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 86 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 66 percent
  • Loans: 61 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $9,307
  • Loans: $6,395

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Education; Health Professions and Related Programs; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Social Sciences

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 79 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 47 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 69 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball
• The Illinois State Redbirds play in the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference. The university fields 17 Division I teams.

Overview of Illinois State University Admissions

Illinois State University accepts 89% of applicants. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside the admission offices’ mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Students should make a campus visit to determine if the institution is a good fit for them.

Admissions Data                        

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Illinois State University had an acceptance rate of 89% for every 100 students who applied. 89 students were admitted, making Illinois State’s admissions process somewhat less competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 70% of admitted students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals to us that most of Illinois State’s admitted students fall within the top 35% on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Illinois State scored between 510 and 600 on the evidence-based reading and writing section, while 25% scored below 510 and 25% scored above 600. 50% of admitted students scored between 500 and 590 on the math section, while 25% scored below 500, and 25% scored above 590. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1190 or higher will be particularly competitive for Illinois State.

ACT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 58% of admitted students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of the university’s students fall within the top 49% on the ACT. The middle 50% of admitted students received a cumulative ACT score between 20 and 26, while 25% scored above 26, and 25% scored below 20.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA of Illinois State’s freshmen class was 3.37, and over 58% of students had mean GPAs of 3.25 and above. These results suggest that successful applicants to Illinois State University have B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Illinois State University, it should be easy for you to gain admission to the schools below. If Illinois State University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Texas State University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Georgia State University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Texas at El Paso, California State University Northridge

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Illinois State University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admission.

Pace University, University of North Texas, San Jose State University, California State University Long Beach, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Texas at San Antonio, Washington State University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Illinois State University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, you’ll be a competitive candidate.

University of Cincinnati, Penn State University Park, United States Military Academy, Hofstra University, Auburn University, Temple University, Seton Hall University

Applying to Illinois State University

Application Deadline: April 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://illinoisstate.edu/admissions/freshman-requirements/

Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://connect.illinoisstate.edu/apply/

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://illinoisstate.edu/admissions/graduate/requirements/

Graduate Application Link(s): https://connect.illinoisstate.edu/apply/