Illinois State University is Illinois' first public university, founded in 1857. The University enrolls students from throughout Illinois, 40 other states, the District of Columbia, and 61 other countries. Students are mentored by a faculty that includes numerous teacher-scholars recognized at national and international levels, and all are dedicated to superior teaching.
Illinois State University, a first-choice public university, will be increasingly recognized as a national leader for educating high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized and transformative experience at an institution that:
Organized Centers and Offices
The Career Center helps students to develop effective job search skills and strategies, and seeks to connect students with employers seeking candidates for full-time positions, internships, professional practice experiences and part-time jobs.
The Student Services Building is home to many student services, including the Dean of Students Office, the Career Center, Student Counseling Services, Student Affairs Information Technology, and Student Health Services. Some registered student organizations have offices here, including the Student Government Association.
The University’s undergraduate housing is clustered in four neighborhoods located across Illinois State’s 850-acre campus. The four areas include Hewett and Manchester Halls, Tri-Towers, Watterson Towers, and Cardinal Court. Each area provides its own unique feel. No matter which area of campus you live in, you can expect a sense of community, individual attention, support services to help you succeed, and a connection to Illinois State University that is second to none!
Cardinal Court houses 894 undergraduate students (primarily sophomores) in 227 furnished apartments. It provides a unique opportunity to experience apartment-style living with the benefits of living in university housing.
The library at Illinois State Normal University opened in 1890, thirty-three years after the opening of the university. Until that time, departments held their own collections.
Milner’s collections include:
Computer workstations:
The Student Health Services offers a student-oriented clinic providing examinations, treatment, urgent care, and minor surgical procedures. As an Illinois State University student you have access to quality, convenient, primary health care.
All students may use the Student Health Services. The Student Insurance plan is not needed to access care at Student Health Services.
Our campus is in Normal, just a short drive from Chicago and St. Louis. Uptown Normal’s Amtrak station and Bloomington’s airport put us within a few hours of most major U.S. cities.
The Fitness program offers a variety of regularly scheduled classes in cardiovascular, strength and mind/body training formats for all current members of the SFC.The Sport Club program within Campus Recreation is an exciting way for students to get involved in competitive recreational sports while attending Illinois State University. Each Sport Club is run primarily by students, with assistance by the Department of Campus Recreation.
Are you interested in joining a club? Student Activities and Involvement helps students find their way by providing multitude of opportunities to get involved on campus, and helping registered student organizations to be successful.
With over 400 registered student organizations (RSOs) from which to choose, students have the opportunity to explore interests, develop academics and hone leadership skills.
Illinois State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 199 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1807 | 1945 | 2144 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By TopUniversities
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1401 | - | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Based on 43 reviews
WSU is a good institution. I really enjoyed my under grade journey in this institution and I gained alot of skills.This institution helped me to grow personally as I was a tutor for 2 years, to stand in front of my peers was not easy at the first but as time goes on that was not a problem at all..
Walter Sisulu University is a good local university in the Eastern Cape. It helps many students get access to higher education, especially in health and teaching. The campuses are busy and full of life, but some buildings and resources still need improvement. It is not a top world university, but it is important for the community and makes a big difference in people�s lives. A strong choice if you want affordable education close to home, with a focus on helping society.
My best years at university were full of growth, friendships, and moments I will never forget. Highlights include late-night study sessions that turned into lifelong friendships, campus events that started new passions, lectures that inspired learning and curiosity, and balancing schoolwork with other activities that taught me time management and teamwork. Those years shaped who I am today, a mix of ambition, creativity, and strength. I am grateful for the journey.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
How helpful were your teachers?
How diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
How was your everyday life?
Did the university provide support for your career development?
Wishlist