

Illinois State University: Overview, Rankings, Fees & Courses
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Illinois State University Ranking 2026
The Illinois State University is among the top universities in the USA and globally category. It ranked at #237 in the USA by Shiksha Popularity Ranking in 2025. The university is also one of the top-ranked universities in the world and it ranks #1401 in the World University Ranking by QS in 2025.
According to US News and World Report, Illinois State University ranking is #209 in 2024, which showcases an improved trend when compared with 2024.
Furthermore, the university’s courses have been ranked nationally. According to Shiksha Popularity Ranking, the Illinois State University subject ranking for 2025 are given below:
Course name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2025 |
---|---|
BBA | #235 |
MSN | #131 |
LL.M. | #188 |
#851
#262
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Some of the recent QS World Rankings of Illinois State University are given in the table below:
Ranked by | 2023 | 2024 |
---|---|---|
QS World University Ranking | 1201-1400 | 1401+ |
To check more rankings of the university, click here.
Illinois State University Programs
Illinois State University is an American university with a global reach that attracts students and faculty worldwide. The university offers more than 165 undergraduate majors, 90+ master’s degrees, and 10 doctoral programs. Some of the popular courses at the university include Business and Management; Marketing; Communication and Journalism; Visual and Performing Arts; Social Sciences and Computer and Information Sciences.

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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
The most popular undergraduate and graduate degree courses offered at Illinois State University are given in the pie chart below:
Others Denote Business, Commerce, Political Science and Government, Economics, etc.
Illinois State University Admissions 2026
Illinois State University accepts admissions during the Fall, Spring, and Summer intakes every year. The regular admissions application deadline for Illinois State is rolling.
Illinois State University Application Deadlines 2026
The application deadlines for spring intake at the university are given as follows:
Spring Semester Event | Admission Deadline |
---|---|
Final document deadline for enrollment | Jan 4, 2026 |
The admission deadlines for international applicants at the university are given in the table below:
Intake | Final Document Deadline for Enrollment |
---|---|
Spring (January) | Jan 4, 2026 |
Illinois State University Acceptance Rate
According to various sources, Illinois State University has an overall acceptance rate of around 86% which makes it less selective for international student admissions.
Illinois State University Application Fee
Illinois State University has a non-refundable application fee of USD 55 for undergraduate and USD 55-150 for postgraduate international applicants.
Illinois State University Eligibility
The eligibility requirements for international UG and PG students are given as follows:
Undergraduate: Students must hold a Class 12 passing certificate.
Postgraduate: Candidates must complete a bachelor's degree to apply for the PG course.
The university will accept three-year degrees from universities in India if:
- The degree is from an A or better NAAC accreditation CGPA and an average percentage mark at graduation of 55% or higher
- The degree is from a B or better NAAC accreditation CGPA and an average percentage mark at graduation of 60% or higher (i.e., second division or higher)
- The student has completed a postgraduate year in the same field or a master’s degree in any field.
Students can read about the Admission Intakes in US Universities 2025-26
- Application fees :USD 50
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Illinois State University accepts applications during the Summer, Fall, and Spring intakes for international students. Some of the important application dates at the university are given in the table below:
Spring Semester Event | Admission Deadline |
---|---|
Final document deadline for enrollment | Jan 4, 2025 |
Apart from the overall Graduate School requirements, candidates applying to a master's programme must also have a minimum 2.8 GPA on a scale of 4.0 in their bachelor's. Also, those applying to a specialist program must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a scale of 4.0 other than the overall graduate school requirements.
International students must submit any one of the following tests while applying for admission to Illinois State University.
- TOEFL internet-based (iBT): 79
- TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
- IELTS overall band score: 6.5
- Duolingo (DET): 105
These are the minimum scores required for these English proficiency exams.
Illinois State UniversityIllinois State University Scholarships
Illinois State University provides international scholarships to students at the undergraduate and graduate levels of study. The Office of International Engagement at Illinois State University offers a merit-based partial tuition waiver to continued degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students. The award has been given to the students with a value of not more than USD 5,000 per semester. Some of the Illinois State University scholarships offered to international students at the university are given as follows:
- International House Merit Award
- International Student Emergency Fund
- Undergraduate International Admission Scholarships
- Graduate International Admission Scholarships
The eligibility requirements for the International House Merit Award are given as follows:
- Must be a full-time undergraduate international student at the university
- Must have a good academic background
- The student should have contributed to the internationalization of the university campus and student community through active involvement
- Must complete and submit the online application form
Students can read about the Scholarships to study in the USA for International Students
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Some of the scholarships offered by Illinois State University are given below.
- ISU - Undergraduate International Admissions Scholarships: The scholarship is valued up to USD 5,000 and is renewable for up to four years
- ISU - Graduate International Admissions Scholarships: The scholarship is valued up to USD 5,000 and is renewable for up to four years
- Young America International Scholarship: The Young America International Scholarship is valued at up to USD 5,000. This is a one-time award that can be added to other admissions scholarships.
- ISU - Presidential Scholarship: The scholarship is valued at up to USD 48,000 (up to USD 12,000 per year, renewable for up to three additional years.
- ISU - University Scholarship: The scholarship is valued at up to USD 40,000 (up to USD 10,000 per year, renewable for up to three additional years).
Yes, international students at ISU can get scholarships at the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, for this, they need to get the minimum GPA as specified by the university. The scholarships at undergraduate and graduate levels are valued at up to USD 5,000. Another scholarship is available for high-achieving international undergraduates. This scholarship is known by the name Young America International Scholarship.
Yes Illinois State University provides various UG and PG Scholarships for international students. Below are the listed scholarships:
undergraduate International Admissions Scholarships: This is valued up to $5,000 and is renewable up to 4 years. It is given to international undergraduate students scoring a minimum of 3.0 GPA on a scale of 4.0.
Graduate International Admissions Scholarships: This is valued up to $5,000 and is renewable for up to 2 years. It is given to international graduate students scoring a minimum of 3.5 GPA on a scale of 4.0.
Young America International Scholarships: A scholarship that is valued up to USD 5,000. It is offered to the highest-achieving international undergraduate students.
Illinois State University Popular Courses
Illinois State University Placements
Illinois State University offers career services to its students that help them connect with employers and get the desired full-time jobs and internships. As per the Emolument, the highest average salary for Illinois State graduates is for Finance Control & Strategy professionals at USD 135,000. Some of the placement highlights at the university are given as follows:
Category* | Data |
---|---|
Graduation Rate | 73% or higher |
Average Salary | USD 51,000 or more |
*This information is sourced from official website/ media reports and is subject to change.
Alumni Statistics: Sectors Placed
The alumni placement highlights at Illinois State University are given as follows:
- Some of the top alumni organizations at Illinois State University include Caterpillar Inc, OSF Healthcare, CDW, Deloitte, Microsoft, Salesforce, TEKsystems, Google, etc.
- A few of the top alumni industries at Illinois State University include Operations, Information Technology, Business Development, Community and Social Services, Sales and Human Resources, etc.
- The top alumni course preferences at Illinois State University are Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Psychology, Economics, Computer Sciences, etc.
Students can also check the Top In-Demand Jobs for Indian Students in the USA
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Illinois State University offers employment to graduate students and alumni in some of the top industries or organizations within a few months of graduation. Some of the popular job sectors at the university are given as follows:
The retention rates of ISU remain among the highest in the nation at over 80.3%. Illinois State’s graduation rate is also high at 67%. The graduation rate is also above the national average.
Illinois State University has offered employment to alumni members in some of the top companies or organizations within and after a few months of graduation. Some of the top employers at the university are given as follows:
- State Farm
- Caterpillar Inc
- OSF Healthcare
- AbbVie
- Aon
- Deloitte
- Microsoft
Illinois State UniversityStudent profile
Others
73%
Hispanic
12%
Black
10%
Asian
2%
In state
95%
Out of state
3%
24 and under
95%
25 and over
4%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
Illinois State UniversityStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.Illinois State University FAQs
Illinois State University offer accommodation to international students. Here are the features of the campus accommodation:
- A linen service is available or participants may bring their own bedding.
- Laundry facilities are also available in each area of campus.
- A 24-hour front desk is located in each building and provides information and other services.
- Swimming, tennis, and golf are just a few of the recreational options provided at the university. Sailing, canoeing, and picnic facilities are located close to campus.
New students are required to submit a non-refundable application fee or documentation for an application fee waiver. The application will not be processed until the application fee or fee waiver verification is received. This fee or waiver must be received by the supporting document deadline. Due to the Declaration of Finances required, International applicants are not eligible for an application fee waiver.
- Undergraduate students must submit a nonrefundable $55 application fee.
Graduate Application Fees
- Athletic Training (ATCAS) - $93; $55 for each subsequent application
- BusinessCAS (Any College of Business graduate program) - $83
- Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSDCAS) - $137; $55 for each subsequent application
- GradCAS (all other graduate programs) - $63
- Visiting graduate students - $55
A few of the top job roles along with their average salaries for international students in the USA are given in the table below:
Top Paying Job Roles in USA | Average Starting Salaries |
---|---|
Lawyer | USD 126,930 |
Finance Manager | USD 120,644 |
Product Manager | USD 117,713 |
Management Consultant | USD 110,980 |
Data Scientist | USD 107,801 |
USA has been one of the top choices for education of international students. Some of the highlights to note while studying in USA are given as follows:
Category | Data |
---|---|
Universities in USA | More than 3,000 |
Average Living Expense | INR 10.5 Lakhs (per annum) |
Popular Courses in USA | |
Part-time Work Allowance | 20 hours/week |
Work permit in USA post-study | 12 months |
USA Study Visa cost | INR 15,430 |
All students living on campus in a residence hall (Haynie, Hewett, Manchester, Watterson, Wilkins, and Wright) are required to purchase an on-campus student meal plan. As students living in Cardinal Court have a full kitchen in their apartments, meal plans are optional for those residents.
Students living in off-campus housing may choose to purchase an off-campus student meal plan.
The first year tuition fees for international students at Illinois State University are given as follows:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
---|---|
BBA (14 courses) | INR 20 L - INR 24 L |
BBA1 (17 courses) | INR 18 L - INR 23 L |
BE/BTech (13 courses) | INR 19 L - INR 24 L |
BBA1 (19 courses) | INR 12 L - INR 20 L |
PG Certificate (23 courses) | INR 6 L - INR 25 L |
BBA1 (15 courses) | INR 10 L - INR 15 L |
MBA/PGDM (6 courses) | INR 14 L - INR 17 L |
BBA17 (17 courses) | INR 22 L |
MIM (5 courses) | INR 14 L - INR 17 L |
BE/BTech6 (5 courses) | INR 22 L |
On average, a student spends approximately INR 93,000 in a month to fulfil living costs in USA. The cost of living in USA is 224.3% higher than the cost of living in India also the rent in USA is 769.9% higher than in India. Thus, it is natural that the cost of living in the USA is very high for an Indian student. The table given below specifies the estimated student cost of living in the USA that is based on different expenses.
Expenses in USA | Average Yearly / Monthly cost |
---|---|
Books and study material | USD 900 - 2,000 per year |
Travel | USD 300 - 700 per year |
Accommodation | USD 9,800 - 11,100 per year |
Electricity | USD 100 - 150 per month |
Food | On campus: USD 250 per month Off-campus: USD 400 - 600 per month |
Phone subscription | USD 50 per month |
Home Internet | USD 45 - 50 per month |
Health Insurance | USD 700 - 1,100 per year |
Clothes | USD 500 per year |
Water, Trash and Sewer | USD 50 - USD 75 per month |
Note: These amounts will differ from state to state within the US. On average, the cost of Indian food in the USA is around USD 350 - USD 400 for one person.
Illinois State University
Student Forum
Answered 3 months ago
The list of the popular programs at Illinois State University along with the percentage of degree awarded are given below:
Bachelors Degree | % | Masters Degree | % |
---|---|---|---|
Elementary Education & Teaching | 6.23% | General Health & Physical Education | 9.12% |
General Marketing & Marketing Management | 5.52% | General Business Administration & Management | 7.48% |
Registered Nursing | 4.64% | Industrial Technology | 5.17% |
General Psychology | 4.31% | Accounting | 4.63% |
General Finance | 3.79% | Audiology & Speech – Language Pathology | 4.49% |
Criminal Justice- Safety Studies | 3.79% | Dietetics | 4.35% |
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
Housing options along with their rates at ISU are given below:
Residence | Type | Annual rate for 2025-26 |
---|---|---|
- | Triple Room | USD 5,514 (INR 4,77,300) |
- | Double Room | USD 6,486 (INR 5,61,400) |
- | Quad Room | USD 6,486 (INR 5,61,400) |
- | Single Room | USD 8,632 (INR 7,47,200) |
Haynie at Tri-Towers, Hewett-Manchester, Manchester | Double Room in Suite | USD 8,762 (INR 7,58,400) |
Wright Hall at Tri-Towers | Single Room in Suite | USD 10,056 (INR 8,70,400) |
Watterson Towers | Super Single Room in Suite | USD 11,094 (INR 9,60,300) |
1 USD = 86.56
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 9 months ago
Illinois State University offers more than 165 undergraduate, 90+ postgraduate and 10 doctoral degree programs for international students every year. Some of the popular majors at the university are given as follows:
- Business and Management
- Marketing
- Education
- Health professions and related support se
Answered a year ago
The Illinois State University acceptance rate is 86%. This shows that the university follows moderate selection criteria when it comes to ISU admission. Students with average academic performance still have some chances of selection, though they must fulfill the basic eligibility criteria. The param
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
Illinois State University is better than the University of Illinois in terms of acceptance rate, tuition fees. However, here is the table of comparison for both the universities:
Name of The University | Ranking | Acceptance rate | Annual fees |
Illinois State University | #1201-1400 in QS World University Rankings | 92% | INR 28 L-19.8 L - 24.3 L (UG) INR 17.3 L ( PG) |
University of Illinois | #317 QS World University Rankings | 78% | INR 19.8 L - 24.3 L (UG) INR 21.6 L - 29.4 L (PG) |
(A comparison of the Annual fee was on the BBA course for UG and MBA for PG however, if students are looking for more co
A
Contributor-Level 10
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