Colleges › Illinois › Illinois State University
Illinois State University
Admission at Illinois State University is close to open (88.1%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $62,117 median earnings below before the application.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Illinois State University occupies suburban Normal, IL — a public campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $111,099 four years out. 32.1% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 19,057 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 81.4% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1010 and 1230 — near the IL middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Illinois State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Illinois State University received 20,884 applications and admitted 18,589 (89%), with 4,147 enrolling.
You can apply to Illinois State University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 1010 and 1230; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 510 | 560 | 620 |
| SAT Math | 500 | 550 | 610 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 24 | 27 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Illinois State University compares
| Illinois State University | Illinois median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 88.1% | 77% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $16,144 | $31,360 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $62,117 | $58,572 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Illinois State University: $62,117 median at year ten, versus $58,572 across Illinois institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $16,144 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $28,210. For non-residents, Illinois State University's $28,210 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
Illinois State University is a big school: 19,057 undergraduates at last count.
64.5% graduate within six years. Roughly 35% don't — ask a Illinois State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Illinois State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $111,099 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $98,382 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $95,120 |
| Insurance | $94,124 |
| Construction Management | $91,017 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $90,953 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $85,326 |
| Public Health | $84,790 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $84,458 |
| Physics | $81,949 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $81,264 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | $80,530 |
| Marketing | $77,956 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | $76,731 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $76,121 |
| Mathematics | $75,318 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $73,220 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $71,707 |
| International Business | $71,058 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $70,671 |
| Geography and Cartography | $69,383 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $67,752 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $66,660 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $65,669 |
| Biology, General | $63,725 |
| Agriculture, General | $63,600 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $62,510 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $62,506 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $62,339 |
| Chemistry | $62,220 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $62,112 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $61,628 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $60,414 |
| Legal Support Services | $59,943 |
| Political Science and Government | $59,571 |
| Graphic Communications | $55,723 |
| Journalism | $55,641 |
| Social Work | $55,089 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $55,032 |
| Music | $54,767 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $54,604 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $54,452 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $53,272 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $52,864 |
| History | $52,757 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $52,748 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $52,417 |
| Psychology, General | $51,941 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $51,806 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $51,386 |
| Sociology | $51,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $50,744 |
| Anthropology | $50,177 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | $49,774 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $49,240 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $47,445 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $45,994 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $40,258 |
Median earnings for these 58 Illinois State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $62,117 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 8 additional Illinois State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Illinois State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1010–1230 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 88.1% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Illinois State University's acceptance rate?
89% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 18,589 admitted from 20,884 applicants.
How much does Illinois State University cost?
In-state tuition is $16,144; out-of-state students pay $28,210. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Illinois State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $62,117 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Illinois
- Benedictine University — 95.2% admitted
- Greenville University — 97.5% admitted
- Graham Hospital School of Nursing — 100% admitted
- Concordia University-Chicago — 92.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.