Aid signal
Strong aid for lower incomes
Reported net price for the $0–30k band runs below average.
Source: IPEDS 2024
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Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Illinois State University at a glance
Illinois State University is a public university in Normal, Illinois with 21,546 students (IPEDS, fall 2024 enrollment). It admitted 88% of applicants (IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024). Its published in-state tuition is $16,144 (IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25); students who received federal aid paid an average net price of $19,398 a year after grants (College Scorecard, a prior cohort). 65% of students finish within the federal tracking window (IPEDS, Graduation Rates 2024 collection: 4-year cohort 2018, 2-year cohort 2021); 43% of students take federal loans, and borrowers leave with a median $20,482 (College Scorecard). By program, the highest graduate earnings four years after finishing are in Nursing (RN), master's ($117,757) and Computer Science, bachelor's ($111,099) (College Scorecard, 2017-19 graduates).
Tuition
$16,144
2024-25
Acceptance
88%
Fall 2024 applicants
Students
21,546
Fall 2024
Type
University
Setting
Suburban
Cost & Financial Aid
In-State Tuition
$16,144
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,210
Avg On-Campus Living
$11,754
Avg Off-Campus Living
$12,194
Financial Aid & Outcomes
College Scorecard
What will it actually cost?
Sticker price: $27,898
Net price (after aid): $19,398
Most students pay the net price after financial aid, not the sticker price.
Net price by family income
$0 – $30k: $11,568
$30k – $48k: $12,301
$48k – $75k: $16,348
$75k – $110k: $23,865
$110k+: $28,224 (above the federal borrowing ceiling)
Can federal loans cover it? (2026 limits)
For families earning $110k+, the average net price here is above the $25,500 a first-year dependent student and their parents can borrow federally from 1 July 2026, by up to $2,724. That part has to come from savings, income, work, or private loans.
The ceiling is $5,500 in the student’s own Direct Loan plus up to $20,000 in Parent PLUS, which requires that the parent has no adverse credit history. Net prices are averages for a prior cohort of aid recipients, not a quote. Source: Federal Student Aid loan limits. Where this gap is largest.
After graduation
Median earnings (10yr): $62,117
Median debt at graduation: $20,482
Est. monthly loan payment: $217
Earnings-to-debt ratio
Strong · 3.0×Graduates earn about 3.0× their median debt every year.
Financial access
Students on Pell Grants: 32%
Pell Grants are federal aid for students from low-income families.
Students with federal loans: 43%
Share of students who borrowed to pay for school.
Some fields may not be reported by this institution. Verify final details with the school directly.
How does cost line up with outcomes across colleges? See our analysis of college cost vs. graduation and earnings, an association shaped by selectivity and sector, not proof a pricier college pays off.
FAFSA earnings check
: Not flaggedIllinois State University does not trigger the FAFSA's "lower earnings" notice. Its graduates' median earnings four years after completing were $65,919, above the $34,790 median for high school graduates aged 25 to 34 in Illinois.
This is one figure for the whole institution, not for any program: earnings differ by credential and field. It covers graduates who completed in 2017-18 and 2018-19, received federal aid, and were working and not enrolled when earnings were measured in 2022 and 2023, in January 2026 dollars. The Department says the notice is informational only: it does not change aid eligibility. Source: U.S. Department of Education, FSA Data Center, March 2026 release. Which colleges are flagged, and what changed.
Student Outcomes
Graduation Rate
65%
Freshman Retention
81%
Source: IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25 (provisional release)
Final aid offers, scholarships, and net price vary per family. Always verify with the school's financial aid office.
Scholarships available
Decision support · Cost & value
Quick Decision Highlights
The strongest cost, aid, and value reasons to consider this school.
Strong post-grad earnings
$62.1k above avg
Manageable graduate debt
$20.5k below avg
Strong completion rate
65%
Affordability snapshot
In-state tuition
$16.1k
Out-of-state
$28.2k
Net price
$19.4k
Pell
32%
Median debt
$20.5k
below avg
Earnings (10y)
$62.1k
above avg
“Avg” comparisons reference national IPEDS / College Scorecard averages (~2022–23); figures are directional and vary by school and year.
Admissions
Acceptance rate
88%
SAT range
990 - 1210
ACT range
21 - 27
Source: IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024 (provisional release)
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Location
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UniversitiesCommunity Colleges1 school
Institution does not report this
Normal, IL 61790
Academics
Studying online: a substantial share study entirely online
In Fall 2023, 1,155 of Illinois State University's 20,989 students (6%) were enrolled entirely at a distance. A further 7,135 (34%) took at least one distance course alongside in-person study.
Distance-education figures count STUDENTS enrolled in Fall 2023, not programs on offer. "Exclusively at a distance" means a student took only distance courses that term. A college with few or no such students may still run online courses or an online degree, so a low figure is not evidence that online study is unavailable, and a high one is not a judgement of quality either way.
U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS Fall Enrollment (distance education status), Fall 2023
Fields of study
Illinois State University reported conferring credentials in 77 different fields to the federal government. See which ones, and at what credential level.
Campus & Student Life
Area Safety Rating
Decision support
Similar schools
Worth a closer look if Illinois State University caught your interest.
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL
Tuition $14,338 77% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL
Tuition $13,248 70% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar size.Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL
Tuition $15,264 71% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Same school type.University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, IL
Tuition $16,004 42% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Same school type.Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL
Tuition $13,334 87% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL
Tuition $12,922 97% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.
Graduate earnings by program
What Illinois State University graduates earn, by program
Illinois State University's bachelor's graduates in Teacher Education (by grade level) earned a median $49,240 four years after graduating, 4% above the $47,382 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $44,898; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $20,833 in federal loans at this college (about $221 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $22,500 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
76 programs at Illinois State University have federal earnings or debt figures, largest graduating classes first. Earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, earnings measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Debt: graduates of 2018-19 and 2019-20. The national median is the same measure for every program in that field and credential in the U.S.
| Program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after | National median | Federal debt borrowed at this college (median) | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education (by grade level), Bachelor's | $49,240 | $47,382, +4% | $20,833 | $221/mo |
| Marketing, Bachelor's | $77,956 | $69,303, +12% | $19,472 | $206/mo |
| Nursing (RN), Bachelor's | $81,264 | $88,910, −9% | $19,500 | $207/mo |
| Psychology, Bachelor's | $51,941 | $50,706, about the same | $20,500 | $217/mo |
| Finance, Bachelor's | $85,326 | $83,343, about the same | $18,625 | $197/mo |
| Communication, Bachelor's | $60,414 | $56,359, +7% | $19,500 | $207/mo |
| Criminal Justice, Bachelor's | $62,506 | $55,378, +13% | $19,000 | $201/mo |
| Business Administration, Bachelor's | $66,660 | $68,257, about the same | $15,000 | $159/mo |
| Accounting, Bachelor's | $84,458 | $76,194, +11% | $20,299 | $215/mo |
| Teacher Education (by subject), Bachelor's | $54,452 | $51,389, +6% | $20,875 | $221/mo |
| Special Education, Bachelor's | $52,864 | $50,499, +5% | $19,500 | $207/mo |
| Agriculture, Bachelor's | $63,600 | $53,676, +18% | $15,750 | $167/mo |
What the job pays locally
- Nursing (RN) graduates train as registered nurses: median $95,990 in Illinois.
- Accounting graduates train as accountants and auditors: median $80,230 in Illinois.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: everyone working in the job, every experience level, not only recent graduates.
Show 64 more programs
| Program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after | National median | Federal debt borrowed at this college (median) | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, Bachelor's | $63,725 | $57,214, +11% | $20,989 | $223/mo |
| History, Bachelor's | $52,757 | $50,680, +4% | $21,500 | $228/mo |
| English, Bachelor's | $47,445 | $48,590, about the same | $20,750 | $220/mo |
| Liberal Arts and General Studies, Bachelor's | $50,744 | $53,072, −4% | $20,331 | $216/mo |
| Management Science, Bachelor's | $70,671 | $86,176, −18% | $21,500 | $228/mo |
| Fine and Studio Arts, Bachelor's | $51,386 | $41,367, +24% | $17,750 | $188/mo |
| Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences, Bachelor's | $62,510 | $58,928, +6% | $19,500 | $207/mo |
| Political Science, Bachelor's | $59,571 | $63,293, −6% | $20,500 | $217/mo |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, Bachelor's | $55,032 | $50,468, +9% | $19,236 | $204/mo |
| Business Administration, Master's | $110,971 | $103,485, +7% | $23,515 | $267/mo |
| Public Relations and Advertising, Bachelor's | $67,752 | $63,560, +7% | $21,500 | $228/mo |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Bachelor's | $62,112 | $54,562, +14% | $19,700 | $209/mo |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Master's | $59,323 | $62,033, −4% | $13,000 | $148/mo |
| Mathematics, Bachelor's | $75,318 | $69,562, +8% | $19,750 | $209/mo |
| Theatre, Bachelor's | $40,258 | $39,775, about the same | $21,500 | $228/mo |
| Sociology, Bachelor's | $51,000 | $52,657, −3% | $20,772 | $220/mo |
| Computer Science, Bachelor's | $111,099 | $107,009, +4% | $22,043 | $234/mo |
| Social Work, Bachelor's | $55,089 | $51,790, +6% | $24,890 | $264/mo |
| Construction Management, Bachelor's | $91,017 | $95,124, −4% | $19,757 | $209/mo |
| Accounting, Master's | $96,945 | $95,833, about the same | $16,818 | $191/mo |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Master's | $75,054 | $89,051, −16% | — | — |
| Human Development and Family Studies, Bachelor's | $52,748 | $48,568, +9% | $20,500 | $217/mo |
| International Business, Bachelor's | $71,058 | $73,201, −3% | $19,119 | $203/mo |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Bachelor's | $45,994 | $55,000, −16% | $23,750 | $252/mo |
| Curriculum and Instruction, Master's | $61,775 | $63,399, −3% | — | — |
| Teacher Education (by subject), Master's | $61,532 | $63,707, −3% | — | — |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Bachelor's | $54,604 | $55,753, about the same | $17,750 | $188/mo |
| Special Education, Master's | $62,105 | $64,397, −4% | — | — |
| Insurance, Bachelor's | $94,124 | $88,472, +6% | $19,000 | $201/mo |
| Journalism, Bachelor's | $55,641 | $56,278, about the same | $20,750 | $220/mo |
| Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences, Master's | $55,353 | $67,030, −17% | $18,000 | $205/mo |
| Design and Applied Arts, Bachelor's | $61,628 | $51,490, +20% | $24,375 | $258/mo |
| Economics, Bachelor's | — | $82,686 | $15,000 | $159/mo |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Bachelor's | $80,530 | $80,526, about the same | $17,750 | $188/mo |
| Music, Bachelor's | $54,767 | $42,892, +28% | $20,500 | $217/mo |
| Clinical Laboratory Science, Bachelor's | $73,220 | $75,975, −4% | $23,927 | $254/mo |
| Nursing (RN), Master's | $117,757 | $120,193, about the same | $29,000 | $330/mo |
| Management Information Systems, Bachelor's | $95,120 | $83,290, +14% | $17,000 | $180/mo |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, Bachelor's | $51,806 | $48,460, +7% | $19,653 | $208/mo |
| Music, Master's | $46,476 | $48,285, −4% | $31,482 | $358/mo |
| Apparel and Textiles, Bachelor's | $62,339 | $57,640, +8% | $19,375 | $205/mo |
| Educational Administration, Master's | — | $71,685 | — | — |
| Physics, Bachelor's | $81,949 | $76,786, +7% | — | — |
| Paralegal and Legal Support, Bachelor's | $59,943 | $53,266, +13% | — | — |
| Social Work, Master's | $55,801 | $65,123, −14% | $31,382 | $357/mo |
| Public Health, Bachelor's | $84,790 | $58,808, +44% | $20,009 | $212/mo |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Bachelor's | $98,382 | $92,374, +7% | $20,000 | $212/mo |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Bachelor's | $65,669 | $66,697, about the same | $22,500 | $239/mo |
| Educational Administration, Doctoral | — | $100,573 | — | — |
| Communication, Master's | $62,006 | $71,953, −14% | $19,775 | $225/mo |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Bachelor's | $53,272 | $60,190, −11% | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography, Bachelor's | $69,383 | $57,853, +20% | $16,750 | $178/mo |
| Student Counseling, Master's | $49,679 | $60,111, −17% | $15,000 | $171/mo |
| Graphic Communications, Bachelor's | $55,723 | $43,283, +29% | — | — |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Bachelor's | $76,121 | $80,890, −6% | $16,000 | $170/mo |
| Health and Medical Administration, Bachelor's | $71,707 | $58,716, +22% | $20,084 | $213/mo |
| Chemistry, Bachelor's | $62,220 | $65,120, −4% | $22,588 | $239/mo |
| Anthropology, Bachelor's | $50,177 | $46,676, +8% | $24,250 | $257/mo |
| Allied Health (diagnostic and treatment), Bachelor's | $52,417 | $70,786, −26% | $23,000 | $244/mo |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, Master's | $58,995 | $60,397, about the same | — | — |
| Psychology, Master's | — | $64,711 | — | — |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Bachelor's | $76,731 | $85,557, −10% | — | — |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications, Bachelor's | $90,953 | $73,587, +24% | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other, Bachelor's | $49,774 | $47,629, +5% | $21,875 | $232/mo |
Median earnings of graduates who received federal student aid, worked, and were not enrolled in school; debt is the median federal loans borrowed at this college by graduates who borrowed (Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS; not Parent PLUS, private loans or interest). Programs with too few graduates are suppressed by the Department of Education. Monthly payment assumes a standard 10-year plan. Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, field-of-study data, 10 June 2026. Download every program (CSV). Same degree, different paycheck: what the national data show. Over the Cap: graduate programs where typical debt exceeds the federal loan limits in force since July 2026. Nursing graduates vs RN pay by state: the early-career benchmark.
Frequently asked questions
About Illinois State University
Built from CampusPin profile data. Always verify final admissions, cost, financial aid, and program details with the institution before applying. See our data methodology and data dictionary.
- Where is Illinois State University located?
- Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL, in the United States.
- What type of institution is Illinois State University?
- Illinois State University is a public university based in IL. CampusPin classifies institutions as either four-year universities or two-year community colleges, with control labeled public or private.
- What is the acceptance rate at Illinois State University?
- The most recently reported acceptance rate at Illinois State University is approximately 88% (IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024). Acceptance rate signals selectivity but does not predict any individual applicant's outcome and is not a measure of school quality. CampusPin reports the federally-published value; verify the current cycle with the institution.
- What is the tuition at Illinois State University?
- Illinois State University's published in-state tuition is approximately $16,144 per year (IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25). This is the published price before financial aid; the net price most students actually pay is typically lower. Verify the current academic-year tuition with the institution before applying.
- How many students attend Illinois State University?
- Illinois State University reports total enrollment of approximately 21,546 students (undergraduate plus graduate) (IPEDS, fall 2024 enrollment). Total enrollment is a useful sizing signal, see the institutional profile for additional breakdowns when available.
- How much does Illinois State University actually cost after financial aid?
- The average net price at Illinois State University is approximately $19,398 per year. Net price is the total cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships that never have to be repaid, so it is what students actually paid rather than the published sticker price. What families pay varies with income: students from families earning under $30,000 paid about $11,568 on average, and those from families earning $110,000 or more about $28,224. These are averages for students who received federal aid in a prior cohort, not a quote for any individual family. Run the institution's own Net Price Calculator for a figure specific to you.
- What is the graduation rate at Illinois State University?
- Illinois State University reports a graduation rate of approximately 65% (IPEDS, Graduation Rates 2024 collection: 4-year cohort 2018, 2-year cohort 2021). This measures the share of a prior entering cohort who completed their degree within the federal tracking window. It reflects who enrolls as much as what the institution does, so it is not on its own a measure of teaching quality, and it is not comparable across institutions serving very different students.
- How much student debt do graduates of Illinois State University have?
- Students who borrowed at Illinois State University left with a median of approximately $20,482 in federal loans, and about 43% of students took federal loans at all. Both numbers matter: a median describes only the students who borrowed, so it reads very differently at a school where most students borrow than at one where few do. Federal loans only, so private and parent borrowing are not included.
- How much do graduates of Illinois State University earn?
- Median earnings approximately ten years after entry are $62,117 for students who received federal financial aid at Illinois State University. This reflects the mix of programs the institution offers and the students who enroll, not the effect of attending, and it covers aid recipients rather than all graduates.
- How should I verify final details about Illinois State University?
- CampusPin compiles institutional data from public datasets like IPEDS and the College Scorecard, plus institutional websites and editorial review. Before applying, paying a deposit, or making a final decision, confirm admissions requirements, current tuition, financial aid, deadlines, and program details directly with Illinois State University.
- How much do Teacher Education (by grade level) graduates from Illinois State University earn?
- Illinois State University's bachelor's graduates in Teacher Education (by grade level) earned a median $49,240 four years after graduating, 4% above the $47,382 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $44,898; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $20,833 in federal loans at this college (about $221 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $22,500 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
- How much do Marketing graduates from Illinois State University earn?
- Illinois State University's bachelor's graduates in Marketing earned a median $77,956 four years after graduating, 12% above the $69,303 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $51,687; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $19,472 in federal loans at this college (about $206 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $20,500 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
- Which programs at Illinois State University have the highest graduate earnings?
- Among the 50 programs at Illinois State University with a federal earnings figure from at least 30 graduates, the highest medians four years after graduating were Nursing (RN), master's ($117,757); Computer Science, bachelor's ($111,099); and Business Administration, master's ($110,971) (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). That order is one federal measure, not a ranking of program quality: earnings reflect the field and where graduates go to work as well as the program.
- Does Illinois State University get a "lower earnings" warning on the FAFSA?
- No. In the Department of Education's March 2026 data, which the FAFSA uses now, Illinois State University's graduates' median earnings four years after completing were $65,919, above the $34,790 median for high school graduates aged 25 to 34 in Illinois, so first-year students who list it do not see the lower-earnings notice. The figure describes the whole institution, not any one program.
Fields this college awarded credentials in
The 14 largest of 77 fields Illinois State University reported, by credentials conferred in 2024-25, using the federal classification of each field. The level is the highest credential actually awarded, which is not always the one a field is best known for.
| Field | Awarded | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 467 | Bachelor's |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 379 | Graduate (122 graduate · 257 bachelor's) |
| Marketing | 266 | Bachelor's |
| Psychology, General | 236 | Graduate (16 graduate · 220 bachelor's) |
| Special Education and Teaching | 215 | Graduate (68 graduate · 147 bachelor's) |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 214 | Graduate (39 graduate · 175 bachelor's) |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 211 | Graduate (38 graduate · 173 bachelor's) |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 173 | Bachelor's |
| Accounting and Related Services | 163 | Graduate (33 graduate · 130 bachelor's) |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 157 | Graduate (7 graduate · 150 bachelor's) |
| Communication and Media Studies | 156 | Graduate (28 graduate · 128 bachelor's) |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 147 | Graduate (64 graduate · 83 bachelor's) |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 141 | Graduate (58 graduate · 83 bachelor's) |
| History | 135 | Graduate (6 graduate · 129 bachelor's) |
Fields are as classified in the federal IPEDS completions collection, which records credentials already conferred. A field listed here was awarded in the reporting year; it does not confirm the program is currently admitting students, and a field CampusPin has no guide for is still shown under its official federal title. Confirm current offerings with the institution.
Explore more
Compare colleges side by side. All colleges in Illinois. Illinois college costs by family income. Student debt at Illinois colleges. Computer science in Illinois. Business major guide. Nursing in Illinois. Psychology in Illinois. Engineering in Illinois.
Always verify final admissions, cost, financial aid, and program details with Illinois State University before applying.
Data sources & methodology
Reporting period: 2024. Last verified: June 10, 2026.
Facts on this profile of Illinois State University are compiled from federal datasets and the institution's own published information.
Sources used across this page
Not every source informs every figure. Each data point draws on the source appropriate to it see the relevant section and the data dictionary for field-level provenance.
IPEDS / NCES College Navigator
Federal enrollment, admissions, tuition, retention, and program data. Released annually with a 1–2 year lag.
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
Net price by income band, post-graduation earnings, and federal aid context.
Clery Act campus security reports
Annual campus security and fire-safety disclosures required of U.S. institutions.
Institutional websites
Each school's official admissions, registrar, and financial-aid pages are the authoritative source for current details.
Where a value is unavailable it is shown as unavailable, never as 0, free, or a negative judgment. Always confirm final details with the institution before applying.
Suggested citation
CampusPin. (2024). Illinois State University, college profile. Retrieved from https://campuspin.com/schools/illinois-state-university
About this information
CampusPin compiles college information from recent publicly available data, including federal and institutional sources. College information can change as institutions and public agencies release new data.
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