Illinois State University
#2 Best Education Colleges in Illinois- Graduation Rate
- 65% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $62,117 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,398 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 88% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.7 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Education Colleges in Illinois.
Every $1 spent returns $20.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,530,906.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 52% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 74%
- Patents
- 78
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 175
- Downstream influence
Why Illinois State University Matters
Illinois State University is a public research university in Normal, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 19,057
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Health Professions, Communications
Why students choose Illinois State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 88% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 990–1210. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,398 a year after grants and scholarships — 13% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $62,117 ten years after enrolling — 52% above the typical college, against $20,482 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 72% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Illinois State University has an impressive acceptance rate of 88%, making it accessible to a broad range of students. This high rate reflects the university's commitment to welcoming diverse talents and backgrounds, allowing many to further their education in a supportive environment.
Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median salary of $62,117 ten years after starting their degree. While specific mobility data is not available, the university's focus on key programs such as Business, Education, and Health Professions suggests a strong pathway for students to enter stable and well-paying careers. The common trajectory indicates that many students can improve their economic standing through education.
The net price of attendance is $19,398, with a median debt of $20,482 upon graduation. Nearly one-third of students receive Pell Grants, highlighting the university's role in serving students from lower-income backgrounds. Illinois State is a solid choice for those who thrive in a large, diverse community and seek practical degrees that lead to good earning potential.
Rankings
- #2 Best Education Colleges in Illinois
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Illinois
- #3 Best Communications Colleges in Illinois
- #3 Best MBA Programs in Illinois
- #4 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Illinois
- #5 Best Colleges in Illinois
- #5 Best Business Colleges in Illinois
- #6 Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Illinois State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Illinois State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Normal, Illinois, Illinois State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,113. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Retention Rate
- 81%
- SAT Average
- 1113
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- SAT Range
- 990–1210
- ACT Range
- 21–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 74%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,453
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.55
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
- Applicants
- 19,596
- Admitted
- 16,899
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Illinois State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Illinois State University is $28,210, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,398. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,568 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,482 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $16,144
- Out-of-State
- $28,210
- Avg Net Price
- $19,398
- Median Debt
- $20,482
- Pell Grant Rate
- 32%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 43%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,568
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,301
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,348
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,224
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Illinois State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Illinois State University earn a median of $62,117, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $50,599
- 8 Years
- $57,276
- 10 Years
- $62,117
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.33x
- Earning > $25K
- 78%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,793)
- 50%
- 100% (1,793)
- 50%
- 100% (1,793)
- 50%
- 100% (1,793)
- 50%
How Illinois Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Illinois State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Illinois State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,398/year ($77,592 total). Graduates earn $62,117 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,608,498 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,530,906 (20.7× your investment). The median debt is $20,482, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 65% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $77,592
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,608,498
- Net Return
- $1,530,906
- ROI Multiple
- 20.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,398
- Median Debt
- $20,482
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Illinois State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Illinois State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.08%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $107,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.08%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 33.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $107,600
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Illinois State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 78 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.22%
- Top 74% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 78
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 175
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.19%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-2,547,877
Top Programs
The fields Illinois State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 22%
- Education 18%
- Health Professions 9%
- Communications 6%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Social Sciences 4%
- Psychology 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Illinois State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Illinois State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Normal, Illinois, Illinois State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,113. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Illinois State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Illinois State University is $28,210, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,398. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,568 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,482 in federal student loans.
Is Illinois State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Illinois State University earn a median of $62,117, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Illinois State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Illinois State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.08%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $107,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Illinois State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Illinois State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Illinois State University.
- University of KansasLawrence, KS · Close peer69% grad $61,945 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · Close peer67% grad $60,543 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of OregonEugene, OR · Close peer72% grad $61,324 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · Close peer75% grad $63,386 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Towson UniversityTowson, MD · Close peer69% grad $64,390 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Illinois State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Illinois State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note