Illinois State University

Illinois State University is Illinois' first public university. The University was founded in 1857 as the first public institution of higher education in the state. Established as a teacher education institution, it has developed into a multipurpose university with degree programs at the bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral levels.

Illinois State University is an American university with global reach, attracting students and faculty from all over the world. Students can choose from over 165 undergraduate majors, 90 master's degree sequences, and 10 doctoral programs, Pathway programs, and Academic English preparation. Illinois State students complete their degrees on time. ISU's retention rate remains among the highest in the nation at over 84.2 percent, and their high graduation rate (68.1 percent) is well above the national average.

The University’s campus is in Normal, just a short drive from Chicago and St. Louis. Uptown Normal’s Amtrak station and Bloomington’s airport put it within a few hours of most major U.S. cities. Also, it is steps away from locally owned shops, restaurants, and hotels in this thriving central business district.