Public · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Midsize suburb

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois. 19,057 undergraduates. Admits 88% of applicants.

67%Graduation rate13 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$17,829Average net price per year10% below the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$67,557Median earnings 10 years after starting15% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$17,000Median debt at graduation21% below the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($17,000) equals 25% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($67,557).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$12,040
$30,000–$48,000$11,006
$48,001–$75,000$12,488
$75,001–$110,000$21,505
Over $110,000$27,183

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $16,152 in-state, $28,218 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate67%54%
Return for second year81%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$54,205$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$67,557$58,912
Median debt at graduation$17,000$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

133 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer Science88$82,023$113,509$16,386
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications9—$100,732—
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians9$45,514$96,234—
Computer and Information Sciences, General26$63,843$94,732$24,344
Construction Management59$76,140$92,574$20,500
Finance and Financial Management Services166$62,209$92,250$18,500
Management Information Systems and Services37$63,835$91,735$16,000
Insurance36$68,692$91,568$21,500
Accounting and Related Services131$65,465$89,032$19,500
Public Health16$72,984$86,460$14,316
Mathematics63$51,648$84,879$16,168
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing228$79,220$84,388$18,850
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General29$68,782$84,303$22,081
Marketing261$56,281$81,354$19,500
Economics26$58,742$80,529$14,000
International Business44—$79,273$16,605
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians15$58,625$78,513—
Physics15—$76,769—
Chemistry19—$76,541—
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions31$70,523$74,367$28,500
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods107$51,136$72,174$15,700
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication43$43,959$72,153$19,619
Business Administration, Management and Operations164$55,272$71,623$17,500
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management88$69,488—$18,125
Geography and Cartography22$46,974$68,955$20,500
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences15—$68,064$20,248
Graphic Communications13$48,805$67,898$17,500
Health and Medical Administrative Services17—$67,317$26,987
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences20—$66,980—
Agriculture, General100$50,382$66,766$15,000
Criminal Justice and Corrections157$46,163$66,102$20,500
Biology, General111$39,836$65,998$19,500
Political Science and Government83$40,508$65,554$23,812
Communication and Media Studies183$45,319$64,527$16,789
Apparel and Textiles26$47,298$64,506$19,000
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness94$38,846$64,065$19,500
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services29$45,704$62,685$14,000
Journalism36$39,538$62,577$25,000
Design and Applied Arts32$45,860$62,193$18,750
Legal Support Services23—$60,227$15,500
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management54$43,044$60,167$21,000
History109$41,453$59,828$16,500
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services86—$59,594$15,500
Anthropology17$35,570$59,157—
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions0—$58,450—
Sociology70$41,245$57,755$21,625
Philosophy11—$57,671—
Social Work50$41,968$57,510$23,125
Psychology, General181$38,272$54,947$19,500
Special Education and Teaching194$50,565$54,904$15,367
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics23$51,383$54,327$16,747
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services31$36,874$54,203$20,157
Visual and Performing Arts, Other—$38,249$54,103—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas147$47,393$53,591$23,575
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General20$49,996$53,457$24,125
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities121$38,107$52,638$23,250
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods477$45,555$52,348$18,740
Fine and Studio Arts92$37,696$49,470$19,700
English Language and Literature, General95$43,875$47,831$19,500
Music35$42,272$45,865$19,941
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft62$34,913$44,438$23,375
Natural Resources Conservation and Research10———
Area Studies1———
Computer Software and Media Applications37——$21,650
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics1———
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology6———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

88%Admission rate
1,113Average SAT of admitted students
21–27ACT middle 50%
19:1Students per faculty member
38%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

Similar colleges in Illinois

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Illinois State University cost per year?
The average net price at Illinois State University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $17,829 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Illinois State University graduates earn?
Former Illinois State University students earn a median of $67,557 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Illinois State University?
67% of Illinois State University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Illinois State University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Illinois State University is $17,000. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.