Illinois State University is a public 4-year college in Normal, Illinois with 19,057 undergraduates. It admits 88% of applicants, costs an average of $17,829 a year after grants and graduates 67% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Illinois State University acceptance rate and admissions
Illinois State University admitted 88% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 500 to 620, math 490 to 590). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
Illinois State University application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early action | Nov 1, 2026 (passed) |
| Rolling admission | Applications reviewed as they arrive |
Application fee through the Common App: $65 for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on Illinois State University’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
Illinois State University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $16,152 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $28,218 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $12,382 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $34,602 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $17,829 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $17,829 a year after grants and scholarships, $16,773 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Illinois State University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Illinois State University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 67% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $67,557 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $17,000 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 25% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Illinois State University majors and what graduates earn
Illinois State University awarded bachelor's degrees in 65 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from computer science ($111,099).
All 65 majors at Illinois State University
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer science | 88 | $82,023 | $111,099 | $15,125 |
| Computer and information sciences | 26 | $63,843 | $98,382 | $19,991 |
| Management information systems | 37 | $63,835 | $95,120 | $15,000 |
| Insurance | 36 | $68,692 | $94,124 | $19,500 |
| Construction Management | 59 | $76,140 | $91,017 | $18,350 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 9 | n/a | $90,953 | n/a |
| Finance | 166 | $62,209 | $85,326 | $16,147 |
| Public health | 16 | $72,984 | $84,790 | $16,533 |
| Accounting | 131 | $65,465 | $84,458 | $19,006 |
| Physics | 15 | n/a | $81,949 | n/a |
| Nursing | 228 | $79,220 | $81,264 | $15,000 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | 29 | $68,782 | $80,530 | $21,375 |
| Marketing | 261 | $56,281 | $77,956 | $19,250 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | 15 | $58,625 | $76,731 | n/a |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | 9 | $45,514 | $76,121 | n/a |
| Mathematics | 63 | $51,648 | $75,318 | $16,000 |
| Medical lab science | 31 | $70,523 | $73,220 | $24,000 |
| Health administration | 17 | n/a | $71,707 | $20,000 |
| International business | 44 | n/a | $71,058 | $16,605 |
| Business analytics and operations research | 107 | $51,136 | $70,671 | $14,487 |
| Geography | 22 | $46,974 | $69,383 | $19,500 |
| Public relations and advertising | 43 | $43,959 | $67,752 | $18,750 |
| Business administration | 164 | $55,272 | $66,660 | $15,250 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 20 | n/a | $65,669 | n/a |
| Biology | 111 | $39,836 | $63,725 | $17,625 |
| Agriculture, General | 100 | $50,382 | $63,600 | $14,000 |
| Speech-language pathology | 86 | n/a | $62,510 | $14,750 |
| Criminal justice | 157 | $46,163 | $62,506 | $19,500 |
| Apparel and Textiles | 26 | $47,298 | $62,339 | $15,000 |
| Chemistry | 19 | n/a | $62,220 | n/a |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 94 | $38,846 | $62,112 | $18,200 |
| Graphic and industrial design | 32 | $45,860 | $61,628 | $17,575 |
| Communication | 183 | $45,319 | $60,414 | $14,384 |
| Paralegal studies | 23 | n/a | $59,943 | $14,000 |
| Political science | 83 | $40,508 | $59,571 | $21,500 |
| Graphic Communications | 13 | $48,805 | $55,723 | $17,500 |
| Journalism | 36 | $39,538 | $55,641 | $25,000 |
| Social work | 50 | $41,968 | $55,089 | $20,500 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 54 | $43,044 | $55,032 | $17,750 |
| Music | 35 | $42,272 | $54,767 | $19,941 |
| Nutrition and dietetics | 29 | $45,704 | $54,604 | $12,814 |
| Teacher education by subject | 147 | $47,393 | $54,452 | $21,500 |
| Geology and earth sciences | 15 | n/a | $53,272 | $19,500 |
| Special education | 194 | $50,565 | $52,864 | $14,802 |
| History | 109 | $41,453 | $52,757 | $16,750 |
| Human development and family studies | 31 | $36,874 | $52,748 | $18,343 |
| Allied health (PA, radiography, therapy and more) | 0 | n/a | $52,417 | n/a |
| Psychology | 181 | $38,272 | $51,941 | $18,500 |
| Family and consumer sciences | 20 | $49,996 | $51,806 | $22,375 |
| Fine and studio arts | 92 | $37,696 | $51,386 | $19,067 |
| Sociology | 70 | $41,245 | $51,000 | $20,500 |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 121 | $38,107 | $50,744 | $18,750 |
| Anthropology | 17 | $35,570 | $50,177 | n/a |
| Teacher education by grade level | 477 | $45,555 | $49,240 | $17,500 |
| English | 95 | $43,875 | $47,445 | $16,290 |
| Romance languages | 23 | $51,383 | $45,994 | $15,541 |
| Theater | 62 | $34,913 | $40,258 | $21,500 |
| IT and network administration | 88 | $69,488 | n/a | $17,749 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 37 | n/a | n/a | $17,400 |
| Economics | 26 | $58,742 | n/a | $13,835 |
| Philosophy | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Environmental science | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Biochemistry and molecular biology | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Area Studies | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Illinois State University
48 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 48 graduate programs
Students and location
- 19,057 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 57% women, 43% men
- 19 students for every faculty member
- Setting: midsize suburb
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Illinois State University?
Illinois State University admitted 88% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Illinois State University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $16,152 for in-state students and $28,218 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $17,829 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for Illinois State University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 500 to 620 in reading and writing and 490 to 590 in math, and 21 to 27 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is Illinois State University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Illinois State University reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Illinois State University?
67% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Illinois State University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $67,557 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Illinois · Illinois State University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.