University Metrics of Excellence

Illinois State made U.S. News & World Report's 2018 rankings of America's best public national universities, at No. 83, based on academic quality and excellence.

Illinois State students complete their degrees on time. ISU's retention rate remains among the highest in the nation at over 80 percent, and our high graduation rate (68.8 percent) is 23 percent above the national average.

Illinois State remains a first-choice institution. We have a strong enrollment of more than 20,000 students, while maintaining academic quality and small class sizes.

Illinois State provides accessible opportunity and increasingly reflects the nation's changing demographics. Nearly one-quarter of our student population comes from underrepresented groups.

Illinois State remains an affordable option. We did not raise tuition or fees this year and disbursed $45 million in merit- and need-based aid and tuition waivers.

Illinois State was ranked by College Factual as the 33rd Best College for the Money out of 1,325 schools across the country. In addition, Washington Monthly named the University among the Best Bang for the Buck Colleges in the Midwest.

Illinois State has recorded more than $21 million in annual private fundraising for three consecutive years. The University announced the launch of Redbirds Rising: The Campaign for Illinois State in September 2017. The $150 million campaign is the largest in university history and will ensure that the future of Illinois State University soars to even greater heights.

Illinois State alumni go on to successful careers, shown in the very low student loan default rate of our graduates (2.8 percent) compared with the national average (11.8 percent).

Illinois State supports veterans and those in the military. We have been designated a Military Friendly School by Victory Media, and we are ranked among the country's best universities for veterans by College Factual and Military Advanced Education & Transition .

Bloomington-Normal ranks as one of the top 50 college towns in America based on its quality of life and arts and entertainment opportunities. The University's hometown also ranks as a top 5 destination among smaller communities in the U.S. for recent college grads.

Illinois State was named once again a Great College to Work For by The Chronicle of Higher Education—the only four-year, public university in Illinois on the list.