Quick Facts
Founded in 1857, Illinois State University was the first public university in the state. It is a residential campus that emphasizes undergraduate study.
The University publishes a FactBook each year that contains more facts and figures about our students, faculty, degree programs, and more.
Who we are
- Total students: 20,762
- Undergraduates: 18,254
- Graduates: 2,508
- 57 percent of our students are women, 43 percent are men.
- 13 percent of Illinois State students are from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Many students from this diverse and growing population actively participate in campus organizations, including the Black Student Union and the Association of Latin American Students.
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Fall 2012 freshmen:
- Half of admitted freshmen earned ACT composite scores of 22 to 26. A quarter scored 27 or above, and another quarter scored between 18 and 21.
- The average high school grade point average was 3.43 on a 4.0 scale.
- Fall 2011 transfer students:
- Students admitted for the 2012 academic year had an average transfer grade point average of 3.15 on a 4.0 scale.
Faculty, class size
- Most of Illinois State’s 1,136 faculty members hold the highest degrees in their fields.
- Ninety percent of undergraduate credit hours are taught by faculty members; the balance are taught by graduate assistants.
- At least 68 percent of all classes have 29 or fewer students; 85 percent have 39 or fewer; and 89 percent have 49 or fewer.
- The student-faculty ratio is 19 to one.
Academic colleges
Its 34 academic departments in six colleges offer 67 undergraduate programs in more than 188 fields of study. The Graduate School coordinates 39 master’s, two specialist, and eight doctoral programs.
