Illinois State University
Illinois State University offers students a high-quality university experience at affordable prices. With a main campus located in Bloomington-Normal, the university is less than 300 km from Chicago and St. Louis. Thanks to its high quality of life, reasonable cost of living and low unemployment rate, Illinois State University has been ranked among the Top 5 Best Small College Towns in America by College Values Online.
The vibrant and inclusive campus hosts more than 20,000 students, including international students from 74 countries. Aside from top-notch programs and great faculty support, students at Illinois State University can take advantage of the numerous internships and employment opportunities in Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis.
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Life at Illinois State University
Student Life at Illinois State University
Students at Illinois State University will have ample opportunities to conduct research, participate in over 400 student organisations and forge connections at networking events with Fortune 500 companies. International students will feel right at home at Illinois State since the university embraces diversity and inclusion. Students can celebrate their cultures, or discover new ones, by connecting with more than 50 cultural organisations on campus. Illinois State University also prioritises civic engagement, and students can participate in different activities that positively impact communities.
Students who want to explore sites beyond the campus can take the train to nearby Chicago and St. Louis or book a flight at the Central Illinois Regional Airport (located just 10 minutes from campus).
Careers at Illinois State University
Illinois State University is committed to preparing its students for successful careers through its emphasis on employability and networking with industry leaders. The university’s career advisors can help students choose a major, understand their career options, polish their résumés and gain practical experience through internships.
Illinois State University also hosts many career fairs throughout the academic year, enabling students to connect with employers and alumni. Top recruiters of Illinois State students include ADM, Cintas, Pekin Insurance and Northwestern Mutual. Thanks to Bloomington-Normal’s close proximity to Chicago, students can work and intern in the city with the second highest number of Fortune 500 companies in the US. These connections lead to postgraduate success. That’s why 78% of international students enrolled at Illinois State continue to OPT(Optional Practical Training) or higher degrees within three months of graduation, according to the Illinois State Office of International Engagement.
City Life at Illinois State University
Bloomington-Normal is recognised as one of the best college towns in the US, thanks to its numerous attractions, bike-friendly roads, countryside and close proximity to the central business district. Students can easily walk to locally owned shops, restaurants and hotels. They can also immerse themselves in a thriving entertainment and arts scene. In their free time, students can attend art festivals, visit museums and galleries or watch live performances.
Uptown Normal also has an Amtrak station, which means students can easily hop on a train to visit Chicago or St. Louis. They can travel to Chicago to savor the world-famous deep-dish pizza or watch a Cubs baseball game. Or they could head down to St. Louis and marvel at the Gateway Arch, explore the Grand Centre Arts District or hang out in Forest Park.
Student Support at Illinois State University
Illinois State University provides comprehensive support to both undergraduate and graduate students. The support starts before the first day of class since all incoming students are given a proper welcome during Transfer Registration and Orientation Day (TROD). Numerous seminars and workshops are also held throughout the academic year, giving students all the knowledge and support they need to succeed academically.
Students are also supported by different advisors during their time at Illinois State. First-year students, undeclared majors, pre-health professionals, interdisciplinary majors and athletes can all schedule advising appointments at University College.
Students who need tutoring can get free help with their classes at the Julia N. Visor Academic Centre at University College. Students will get a personalised experience thanks to the small-group learning sessions guided by certified tutors.
Student Accommodation at Illinois State University
Illinois State University offers safe and well-appointed residence halls within its campus. Many international students live in the Hewett-Manchester residence hall complex. This residence hall is located near the Milner Library and offers living-learning communities that group students with common academic interests.
Students will stay in double rooms with shared, centralised bathrooms. The items found in each double room include beds, dressers, desks, desk chairs, Wi-Fi and cable TV outlets. Other amenities available at residence halls include study areas, computer labs, laundry facilities and fitness centers.
Illinois State University also offers numerous resources to help its graduate students find off-campus housing.
Facilities at Illinois State University
Illinois State University is continuously upgrading its facilities to better service its students and faculty. Most notably, the university recently completed a renovation of its Center for the Visual Arts (CVA) Rotunda. The massive space holds four-tiered lecture halls that serve about 4,000 students. Some of the structural improvements include the raising of the concrete floor to accommodate accessible ramps and the installation of a new HVAC system.
The Mennonite College of Nursing is building a new facility that will wrap around the Simulation Centre. The new facility will feature an enhanced clinical education setting with virtual reality (VR) technology. This upgrade will allow the college to boost enrolment by 400 students and expand its hands-on research and training opportunities.
Sports & Clubs at Illinois State University
Illinois State University’s Sport Club program allows students to participate in a variety of competitive sports — including baseball, badminton, men’s and women’s lacrosse and tennis. Clubs usually practice on or near campus twice a week or more. They mainly compete in-state or regionally on weekends during the fall and spring semesters. Other recreation activities include intramural sports, fitness classes and adventure clubs.
Students who are interested in joining a student organisation have over 400 registered student organisations to choose from. These organisations give students the opportunity to explore their interests, connect with like-minded individuals, apply their academic knowledge and develop their leadership skills.
Sustainability at Illinois State University
Spearheaded by the Office of Sustainability, Illinois State University’s sustainability initiatives are designed to reduce the university’s overall environmental impact. Some of the green initiatives pursued by both students and faculty include the zero-waste policy, sustainable shopping (which emphasises buying reusable, eco-friendly products) and eco-friendly practices at campus dining centres and events.
Illinois State is strongly committed to reducing its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The conservation strategies currently being enacted include upgrading to LED lights and installing more solar panels on campus.
Annual events, celebrations and recognition days celebrated on campus include Fix It Friday (where clothing is given small repairs rather than discarded), World Water Day, World Environment Day and America Recycles Day.
Rankings
#65 in Best Value Schools (U.S. News & World Report 2024)
#85 Best Colleges for Information Technology (Niche.com 2024)
