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Illinois State University
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Illinois State University - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.08

Academics

B-
Where does this grade come from?View all Academics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Academics Grades:

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 19:1
Full-Time Student Population 18,494
Part-Time Student Population 2,690
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 876
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 304
Total FT Faculty 876
Faculty with Terminal Degree 84%
Average Faculty Salary $67,356
Full-Time Retention Rate 85%
Part-Time Retention Rate 83%
Transfer-Out Rate 23%
Graduation Rate 70%
Programs/Majors Offered 85
Average Course Load 15 credits
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? Yes
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 students: 31%
  • 20 to 49 students: 57%
  • 50 or more students: 12%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Even though ISU has a reputation of being a large party school, a lot of students are concerned with their academics, as well. There are six major colleges at ISU: the Mennonite College of Nursing, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Applied Science and Technology, College of Business, and the College of Fine Arts. Originally, ISU was strictly an education-based college, where students went to get their teaching degrees. Since it was founded in 1857, ISU has grown to offer more opportunities to students with other interests. There is a list of general education classes that each student must complete before graduating, but students get their choice of courses that interest them within each level, of which there are three: inner core, middle core, and outer core. These classes are in addition to students' major and minor courses. Students are able to pick classes per level when they register for each semester, or they can keep track of them on the iCampus portal Web site.

Recently, ISU has become one of the most popular colleges in Illinois and has joined the ranks of such competitive schools as the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. One of the main reasons this has happened is because of the relationship between the professors and students. Many of the professors are highly recognized for their craft and are willing to help students whenever possible. For example, most professors in the English department are skillful, published writers who can offer some advice. This connection between advocacy and friendship helps take ISU to the next level.

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Illinois State Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Illinois State University

starsplash

'10

Public Policy, Administration, and Social Work

5.0
A+

A LOT of Options.

I came to Illinois State for the sociology program, which I absolutely loved. Most class sizes are small and I had the opportunity to really get to know my professors. I still communicate with the professor I was closest to, even after graduation. The professors really want students to succeed, in and out of the classroom, academically and personally, and they encourage and support them to do so, pushing them to excel. The university has a range of options outside campus as well; I was a French minor and I was offered multiple options to study abroad. They also have a dedicated program for students entering the Peace Corps. I was surprised at just how many programs there were, and I'm sure there were so many more than I knew about.

Feb 06, 2012

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Academics at Illinois State University

toyagiles08

'14

Education

4.2
A-

Education

My major is elmentary education here at ISU. My major is really competive and hard to get into. I think our teacheing program is a unique program becasue here they are working with students and preparing them to work in urban areas. The insturtors are really friendly and helpful

Jan 15, 2012

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Academics at Illinois State University

tcnatha

'13

Biological Sciences

5.0
A+

Feels Like Home

Compared ot the first university I attended, Illinois State feels like the right fit. The campus isn't intimidatingly huge and it's not reminiscent of small community colleges. Its very safe and open. Normal seems to bring out the niceness in people because everyone I've met so far is very friendly, and that includes the professors. They're always helpful, approachable, and enthusiast about what they're doing.

Jan 12, 2012

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Page 1 of 17

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: Yes
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: Yes
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit or exemption for scores of 3, 4, or 5 at the college’s discretion
IB Test Score Requirements N/A
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • College of Applied Science and Technology
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Business
  • College of Education
  • College of Fine Arts
  • Mennonite College of Nursing
Degrees Awarded
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Doctorate - Professional practice
  • Doctorate - Research/scholarship
  • Master's degree
  • Post-bachelor's certificate
  • Post-master's certificate
Most Popular Majors
  • Accounting: 2%
  • Elementary Education: 3%
  • Finance, General: 2%
  • Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 2%
Graduation Requirements
  • Arts/fine arts
  • Computer literacy
  • English (including composition)
  • History
  • Humanities
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Sciences (biological or physical)
  • Social science
Special Study Options
  • Distance learning opportunities
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Other Academic Offerings
  • Accelerated program
  • Cooperative education program
  • Double major
  • Dual enrollment
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Exchange student program (domestic)
  • Honors program
  • Independent study
  • Internships
  • Student-designed major
Best Places to Study
  • Bone Student Center
  • ISU quad
  • Milner Library

Online Courses

Online courses vary by subject at Illinois State University. Numerous general education classes can be taken online. But just because a class is online does not necessarily mean that it's easier. Some professors provide video lectures while others ask students to read books. Papers and timed tests can be submitted online with ease. The only problem may be forming a relationship with your instructor; this can be difficult when it comes to needing help with the subject matter.

Did You Know?
  • ISU is the second-largest degree producer of teacher education candidates in the nation.
  • Students who are tired of walking to class now have the option of taking certain classes online.
  • One of the ways students can practice their farming skills is with ISU's 360-acre farm in nearby Lexington.
  • ISU was originally named Illinois State Normal University and was for teachers only.
  • The Department of Communication has recently been named the School of Communication.
  • Student organization TV-10 is constantly in the running for a variety of broadcasting awards.
  • ISU's forensics (speech and debate) team has won the national championship two times in the last five years.
  • "The Innocence Project," created by ISU, is a documentary about people sitting on death row who have been wrongly accused of crimes. The project was created after ISU assistant professor of communication John McHale produced a documentary that helped release Joe Amrine, a convicted murderer from death row.
  • Illinois State placed 79th in the 2008 BusinessWeek magazine rankings of the best undergraduate business schools in the nation.

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at ISU

Name: Elizabeth Nelligan

Hometown: Lake Zurich, IL

Major: Journalism

see all student author bios > Become a student author to help update the guide for this school

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