Illinois State University

Normal, IL · public

Official site ↗

Admissions

Admit rate89%
Applicants
Middle-50% SAT1010–1230
Middle-50% ACT22–27
Avg GPA
Test policy
Avg net price / yr$18,996
Grad rate66%
Median earnings (10 yr)$62,117
Sourcescorecard_bulk · 2025

Application requirements

Early Action2025-11-01
Regular / RollingRolling
Application fee$55 (US) · $55 (intl)
Personal essayNot required
Test policysometimes required

Source: Common App first-year Requirements Grid, 2025-26 cycle. Confirm on the college's site — requirements can change mid-cycle.

Supplemental essays

~150 words each.

  1. Explain, in detail, an experience you've had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you've taken, or through something else.
  2. Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from Illinois and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.
  3. What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you're considering at Illinois and why.
  4. What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.
  5. Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

Copied verbatim from the school's official admissions page (2025-26 cycle).