Illinois State University is a public research university in Normal, Illinois, and the oldest public university in the state. Governor William Bissell signed the bill creating the school on February 18, 1857, and it opened in October 1857 as Illinois State Normal University with 43 students, a teacher-training institution championed by Jesse W. Fell, with Abraham Lincoln serving as attorney to the founding board. It moved to its own campus in 1860. Its normal-school name gave way to State University at Normal in the 1960s and to Illinois State University in 1968 (sources differ by a year on the interim dates). First-year admission is holistic, weighing completed high school courses, GPA, SAT or ACT scores if submitted, and an optional academic personal statement. For fall 2026 admits the middle 50 percent GPA range was 3.29-4.05, which is not a requirement. Admitted first-year students complete the ALEKS math placement before enrolling.
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ISU reviews first-year applicants holistically, giving highest priority to the strongest academic records. Test scores are optional.
Dates, fees and criteria change every session. Always confirm them on the official admissions page before applying.
Location
100 N University St, Normal, IL, Illinois, United States
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