Illinois State University

Local heart, global network.

Illinois State University houses a diverse community of scholars with a strong dedication to academic excellence. It stands as a choice destination for students around the world.

Illinois State University, established in 1857, has over 20,000 students and is internationally recognized. Illinois State focuses on delivering individualized attention to each of our students, shaping them into leaders prepared for successful careers.

The university is the No. 104 top public school, according to U.S. News & World Report 2022, and the No. 57 top national university in the US, according to Washington Monthly 2021. It has also been ranked among the top 5% best value universities for international students by College Factual 2021. Throughout its history, Illinois State has implemented individualized attention to shape students into leaders, fostering a small-college atmosphere with large-university opportunities.

Illinois State’s campus is in Normal, Illinois, the No. 1 city for recent college graduates, according to Penngeeks.com 2020. Illinois has the fourth-largest number of Fortune 500 company headquarters in the US, which means students benefit from an exciting job market. There is a wealth of professional opportunities in nearby Chicago.

Illinois State welcomes over 500 international students to campus annually, representing 76 nationalities.

The INTO Illinois State Center

INTO Illinois State University offers international students a support system and learning community on campus.

• A Learning Resource Center, test preparation classes, tutoring and a conversation partners program.
• A team of academic faculty and staff offering personalized academic, language and cultural support.
• 99% of INTO Illinois State Pathway students were eligible to progress to degree programs in 2019-2020, 97% of whom enrolled.

Programs

INTO offers students the option to apply for direct admission into any of Illinois State’s 150+ undergraduate and 90+ graduate degree programs. We also offer the option to apply for Pathway programs that prepare students to pursue an Illinois State degree.

Top-ranked degree programs at Illinois State include the No. 8 best insurance program in the US, according to U.S. News & World Report 2021.

INTO Illinois State Programs:

• Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees: Students who meet academic and English requirements for their desired undergraduate and graduate degree programs can apply directly to the university program.
• International Year One (IYO): Students can earn credits toward their degree even if they don’t meet academic and English requirements for their chosen undergraduate degree program.
• Graduate Pathway: Provides a direct path to various degree programs, offering academic foundation, essential language skills, and GMAT/GRE test preparation.
• Academic English: An intensive program offering students rapid progress in preparation for an academic degree.

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Career outcomes

• 80% of international students go on to use Optional Practical Training (OPT) or continue to higher degrees within 3 months of graduation, according to the Office of International Programs and Services 2018-19.
• Illinois State international graduates have interned or gone on to work for BMW, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, State Farm, Google and many others.