
201 S. School St. Campus Box 2200, Normal, IL 61790, USA


Illinois State University supports a comprehensive athletics program that participates in NCAA Division I competitions, primarily within the Missouri Valley Conference. The university fields numerous men's and women's sports teams, providing student-athletes with opportunities to compete at a high level while pursuing their academic goals. Facilities on campus are well-maintained and include venues dedicated to football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, and track and field, among others.
The athletic department emphasizes a balance between competition and student development, encouraging participants to excel both on the field and in the classroom. Beyond varsity sports, Illinois State fosters recreational programs and intramural activities, accommodating students who wish to stay active without committing to varsity-level athletics. This broad range of options caters to diverse interests and skill levels, supporting a vibrant campus community engaged in physical fitness and sportsmanship.
Prospective student-athletes considering Illinois State can anticipate strong support through coaching staff, training resources, and academic advising tailored to athletes. The university's commitment to athletics is also reflected in its efforts to promote school spirit and community involvement at sporting events, creating a dynamic and inclusive environment for all students.
Illinois State University offers a variety of student organizations for those interested in joining social and interest-based groups. Among the affiliations available, 4% of male students and 7% of female students participate in social organizations. In total, 7,764 men and 10,305 women are engaged in these groups, reflecting a notable level of student involvement.
Illinois State University hosts a large and diverse student population, with a notably high number of both freshmen and transfer students. The university enrolls 4,147 freshmen, ranking it in the top 5% nationally, alongside 1,814 transfer students, which places Illinois State in the top 10% for this category. Overall, the total enrollment of new students is 5,961, a figure that also ranks in the top 5% compared to other institutions.
The student body is predominantly composed of in-state residents, accounting for 96% of the population, which ranks Illinois State University in the top 15% for in-state enrollment proportions. Out-of-state students are a small minority, representing only 3% of the student body, a figure placing the university in the bottom 15% nationwide for this demographic. The population of students from other U. S. states remains strong at 99%, securing a position within the top 30%. Meanwhile, international representation is relatively modest, with students from foreign countries making up just 1%, a level considered average and situated in the bottom 35%.
Age distribution among undergraduates reveals the majority are traditional college-age students, primarily between 18 and 21 years old, with 7,487 aged 18-19 and 7,592 aged 20-21. The presence of younger students under 18 is minimal, with only 83 individuals, while older undergraduates from 22 up to above 65 years old are present in smaller numbers. Graduate students tend to be older, predominantly between the ages of 22 and 49, with a small segment extending beyond these years.
The ethnic composition at Illinois State University is varied, showing particularly high levels of white and African American students. White students number 12,139, ranking the university in the top 5% nationally for this group. African American students total 2,596, a count also within the top 5%. Hispanic students make up a significant group as well, with 2,720 individuals placing the school in the top 25% for Hispanic enrollment. Those identifying with two or more races number 778, marking Illinois State as being in the top 10% for multiracial students. Other ethnic groups, including Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islander students, are represented in average proportions, while a modest number of students have unknown racial identification.
Student life at Illinois State University is enriched by a variety of cultural and extracurricular opportunities that cater to diverse interests. The campus, spanning 1180 acres, supports numerous student-run media and arts organizations, including a campus newspaper, radio station, TV channel, drama groups, band, and chorus, offering students multiple ways to engage creatively and socially.
Support services at Illinois State University are comprehensive, with resources such as legal services, a health clinic, psychological counseling, a veterans' affairs office, and a woman's center, all aimed at promoting student well-being and inclusivity.
The university expects a vibrant and sizeable student body, boasting a very high total enrollment of 21,546 students, and a full-time degree-seeking population of 4,267, reflecting its status as a large institution. The student-faculty ratio stands at 19 to 1, suggesting relatively accessible academic support.
Active participation in athletics is supported through membership in the NCAA, contributing to a spirited campus atmosphere.
Illinois State University offers its students access to a main library, Milner Library, which serves as the central hub for academic resources. The university's library system includes only this single facility, placing it in the lower range nationally with regard to the number of libraries available on campus.
The collection size at Milner Library is notable, with more than 900,000 books, ranking it within the top 35% of libraries for book volume. Students benefit from access to nearly one million ebooks, which positions the collection comfortably in the top 40% for digital book availability.
The library supports a broad range of subscriptions, with around 24,700 total subscriptions and a digital subscription base of over 200,000, reflecting a substantial commitment to varied academic journals and periodicals. While the number of databases offered is modest at 361, this still provides a reasonable level of access to specialized research tools and collections.
Physical facilities at Milner Library are supplemented by digital access, and the institution ensures support through trained staff. Study rooms are available for student use, though the library does not provide all-day access. Additionally, Illinois State University students can utilize shared collections, enhancing the scope of materials beyond what is housed solely within Milner Library.
Total enrollment
21546Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
4267Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
931 full time, 354 part timeVeterans affair office
YesMain library name
Milner LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
1Reservable study rooms in library
Yes24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes