Illinois State University

Founded in 1857, Illinois State University is a 4-year institution in central Illinois and the first public university in the state. The ISU campus hosts six colleges and schools as well as an Honors Program and Milner Library. Top academic majors include Teaching, Business, Nursing, Actuarial Science, and Cybersecurity. Outside of academia, students can take advantage of ISU’s 400+ clubs and organizations or join the varsity Esports team! In addition, Illinois State is home to Gamma Phi Circus—the oldest collegiate circus in America and one of only two still performing shows for the public.

Students who are most competitive in admission to Illinois State have a weighted cumulative GPA of a 3.1 – 3.8 on a 4.0 scale, and an ACT of a 21-26 OR SAT of 1030-1200. The university awards 100 % of freshmen with a 3.0 GPA on a scale of 4.0 and 25 + ACT or 1200 + SAT received a merit-based scholarship. Out-of-state students can qualify for in-state tuition, and all students benefit from a frozen tuition rate for four years. Illinois State students return, graduate and pay back their student loans at rates that are among the top 10% of all schools in the nation.

Brian Albertsen