University Metrics of Excellence

Illinois State has welcomed our largest freshman class in history. We enroll more than 21,500 students, while maintaining academic quality and small class sizes.

Illinois State is ranked among the top universities for return on investment. U.S. News & World Report recognized the University as one of the Best Value Schools in the nation, and Washington Monthly included the University on the Best Bang for the Buck list in the Midwest. In addition, the University was also ranked among the top 30 percent of four-year higher education institutions for graduates’ return on investment.

Illinois State students complete their degrees on time. ISU’s retention rate remains among the highest in the nation at over 81.3 percent, and our high graduation rate (66.3 percent) is well above the national average.

Washington Monthly ranked the University in the top 106 out of all public national universities for the institution's contribution to the public good through social mobility, research, and public services. Illinois State made U.S. News & World Report's 2024 rankings of America's top public schools, at No. 112. In addition, the University was ranked in the upper echelon of Money’s 2024 list of Best Colleges in America for quality education and affordability.

Illinois State provides accessible opportunity and increasingly reflects the nation's changing demographics. We enrolled our most diverse freshman class in school history this year with 41 percent of these students and nearly 32 percent of the total student population coming from traditionally underrepresented groups.

Illinois State University raised more than $35.4 million in private support, reaching its third highest private support total in university history. Through these donations, more than 4,474 scholarships were awarded last fiscal year and 85 new scholarships were created.

The University’s hometown ranks as one of the top 3 best college towns in America based on its affordability and safety, while its entertainment scene, community, and quality of life are listed as reasons it also ranks as one of the Best Places to Live in the United States.

Illinois State supports veterans and those in the military. We are ranked a top 10 Military Friendly School by VIQTORY.

Illinois State’s campuswide commitment to our core value of civic engagement has earned us recognition with the Elective Classification for Community Engagement, as an Excellence and Innovation Award for Civic Learning and Community Engagement recipient, and as a Voter Friendly Campus.