Illinois State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Normal, Illinois · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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Illinois State University is a public university in Normal, Illinois that admits about 88% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $19,398 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Marketing and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 65% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Illinois State University is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. For the most recent reporting cycle, Illinois State University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 88%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1110 and an ACT composite around 24. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $19,398 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Illinois State University?
53% of enrolled students at Illinois State University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.62, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Illinois State University weight in admissions?
Illinois State University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
SAT and ACT scores Illinois State University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 560. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–27. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1010 |
| 50th percentile | 1110 |
| 75th percentile | 1210 |
| % submitting SAT | 43.69% |
| 25th percentile | 21 |
| 50th percentile | 24 |
| 75th percentile | 27 |
| % submitting ACT | 7.54% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
How much does Illinois State University actually cost?
Published tuition is $16,144 for in-state students and $28,210 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,754 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $19,398 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 32% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $12,066 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $24,132 |
| Room and board | $11,410 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $19,398 |
| Application fee | $55 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Illinois State University
| Regular deadline | April 1 |
| Notification date | Rolling, beginning April 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from Illinois State University?
These predict outcomes at Illinois State University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Illinois State University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Illinois State University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Marketing and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Across all programs, Illinois State University confers roughly 1,681 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods program report a median income of about $49,945 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 471 | $49,945 |
| Marketing | 243 | $76,346 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 207 | $83,441 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 161 | $86,558 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 156 | $59,685 |
| Psychology, General | 149 | $56,232 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 147 | $56,275 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 147 | $70,456 |
Is Illinois State University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Illinois State University disclosed 24 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 6 violent offenses and 15 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Illinois State University?
About 35% of undergraduates at Illinois State University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 4% of men join a fraternity and 7% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Illinois parents ask about
Next steps for Illinois State University
Common questions parents ask about Illinois State University
What GPA do I need for Illinois State University?
53% of enrolled students at Illinois State University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.62, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Illinois State University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 560. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–27.
How much does Illinois State University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Illinois State University after grants and scholarships is $19,398 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $16,144 and $28,210 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Illinois State University realistic for my child?
Illinois State University admits 88% of applicants, so 490–590 SAT Math is target range and below 490 is a reach. Then check the $19,398 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Illinois State University?
Illinois State University accepts about 88% of applicants out of roughly 21,573 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Illinois State University test-optional?
Yes. Illinois State University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Illinois State University?
About 65% of students at Illinois State University graduate within six years. 81% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Illinois State University look for in applicants?
Illinois State University rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Illinois State University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Illinois State University is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois.
What are the most popular majors at Illinois State University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Illinois State University by annual graduates are Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Marketing and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. The school awards about 1,681 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Illinois State University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Illinois State University reported 24 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Illinois State University?
At Illinois State University, 35% of undergraduates live on campus, 4% of men are in fraternities, 7% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Illinois State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers