Illinois State University

Illinois State University is a public research university in Normal, IL, known for its public doctoral university, education programs, and accessible admissions. With an acceptance rate of 86%, ISU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 3,983 students each year. ISU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1010–1210, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. ISU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $12,185 per year; the sticker price of $41,004 may look very different from what your family actually pays.