Illinois State University
School info
4
Overall Quality
Reputation
3.9
Food
3.7
Clubs
4
Facilities
4.2
Internet
3.6
Location
4.1
Opportunities
4
Safety
3.8
Social
4
Happiness
4.2
Basic Information
Location
- Normal, IL
Institution Overview
- Public/Private: Public research university
- Established: 1857; 167 years ago (1857)
- Founder: Jesse W. Fell
Academic information
Degree Courses
- Over 160 degree options
Key Area
- Heart failure and cardiovascular disease
- host-microbe interactions and immunity
- air quality and anaerobic digestion
- neurological and cellular mechanisms
- social-ecological factors in health and behavior
Student and Staff Numbers
- Students: 21,546 (Fall 2024)
- Undergraduates: 19,107 (Fall 2024)
- Postgraduates: 2,439 (Fall 2024)
- Administrative Staff: 3,612
Notable Alumni
- John Malkovich
- Gary Sinise
- Laurie Metcalf
- Tenitra Michelle Williams
- Gary Cole
10 FAQs about this University from
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Students talk about this school
Good reviews
Overall 5
ISU is a wonderful institution. Most professors are outstanding. Athletics are engaging. Courses are challenging but fair. So many opportunities for students to get involved on campus. Grateful to be a Redbird. Would not trade my university experience for anything!
Overall 5
I transferred here and I love it! It is the perfect size if you want the feel of a large school, but do not want to walk 20 minutes to get from building to building. The quad has a lot of trees, which is a plus in my book. You will find about 400 clubs, so there is a place for everyone.
Overall 5
Great school, hated on way too much
Overall 5
I love it here, I transferred from a different school and this is a huge improvement
Overall 5
Most staff at the school are friendly and very helpful.
Overall 5
It is awesome
Overall 5
I had amazing professors in my general education classes. I would give them all 5/5. Every professor I've had in the College of Business (Accounting Major) are also great. Academic advising is top tier - Brenton Kane is wonderful; he is a very kind person and very helpful. The campus is nice and I enjoy the architecture.
Overall 5
From being clean to professors caring beyond belief for the well being of their students. Food is amazing and the campus is spotless and also is always popping with activities.
Overall 4.9
I'm a current Jr. here at ISU and its been the best 3 years of my life so far! You get out what you put in, so work hard and play harder and you will love it here.
Overall 4.8
great opportunity if you are ready to make the best of the school
Bad reviews
Overall 1
If you want to be happy and have a true college experience, do not go to this school. Id be better off at my community college. The school is very good at painting a false image but dont fall for it. Youll soon realize after going for half a semester that the school is not what they say it is.
Overall 1
This school does not care about students. It cares that their numbers look good. They want high enrollment and money rolling in. Dean of students and title ix do not care about any form of harassment students may experience on campus. The last thing they will do is kick out a student because then their numbers drop.
Overall 1
Expensive school even for in-state students. Did not reimburse students for parking or fees for Spring 2020 (not even a little) despite the campus being closed half the semester. I paid for a full semester of parking, student rec, milner, redbird arena, atletics, ect. when everything was closed/canceled for 8 of the 16 weeks.
Overall 1.3
dont live through Young America. Also its not safe, my car got broken into and gun shots were fired on our street. Its not a fun school and is not safe.
Overall 1.7
This school is okay. The location is not ideal, as it is essentially in the middle of nowhere. The dining hall food is unfortunately not the best.
Overall 1.7
Overpriced and not that fun, people are mostly rude and try too hard to fit in. Wouldnt recommend
Overall 1.7
Do not walk by yourself at night. Walk with a friend or use the campus safewalk program.
Overall 1.9
I'm regretting for attending ISU. It is very liberal, which is ok. To be honest, I see some community colleges are better than ISU. Some old buildings are dirty; the desks in most classrooms are tiny, it is uncomfortable to take notes on; there are few professors I had I found not helpful at all. Overall, 5/10. I would avoid ISU if I can.
Overall 2
I had a really hard time adjusting from high school to college because I came from a low funded school and I didn't have as many opportunities as others. I heard good things about ISU in terms of really caring about students and helping them succeed. I did not see that. I was constantly getting kicked down to the ground, even during my senior year.
Overall 2
You'll be an outcast unless you look like everyone else