Illinois State University

Illinois State University provides a range of first-rate facilities to its students. The Milner Library is the main library on campus and offers impressive amenities such as computer labs, research assistance, study spaces, and over 2 million books and other materials. The Student Fitness Center houses various fitness equipment and sports courts and allows students to participate in exercise classes to stay active on campus.

The Science Laboratory Building provides ample research and teaching facilities for the College of Arts and Sciences, while the College of Business has state-of-the-art facilities. The Redbird Arena hosts both athletics and concerts along with other large-scale events, as sports is a big part of the camaraderie of campus life at the University. The Student Center is comprehensive in how it provides for its students, as there are dining options, a movie theater, a bowling alley, and the usual event spaces to provide a well-rounded student experience.

The Bone Student Center provides plenty of student meeting spaces, a bookshop, and hospitality spaces for students to hang out amongst their age groups in one convenient location. There are over 400 registered student organizations on campus, a large number compared to other universities worldwide. There are over thirty Greek sororities and fraternities on campus, as a big Greek community is enrolled at the University. Similarly, there is a significant sports presence on campus, and students have a fair chance of playing for a team in their preferred sport. There are nineteen varsity sports teams for all genders, and the University is a member of the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference. Numerous volunteer and service opportunities are presented to students all year round so students can develop their leadership skills and make a difference in the world.

Illinois State University is situated in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. The campus is a short walking distance from the many restaurants and bars in the scenic downtown area of Bloomington-Normal. Many local shops and family-owned restaurants line the streets, but there are food chains and big-name music and arts events in this area too. The area is safe, with a low crime rate and excellent job opportunities to look forward to after graduation. Still, it also boasts of a youthful atmosphere due to the number of students residing in the area.

Over the past decade, Illinois State University’s retention and graduation rates have been in the top 10% in the USA. Its retention rate is at 83.2% with a graduation rate of 67.3%, both well above the national average.

Normal has ranked as one of the top 5 college towns in America based on its quality of life. It has also been ranked highly among the nation's best small cities for affordability, arts and entertainment opportunities and safety. It has also ranked as one of the Best College Towns in America and among the Best Places to Live in the United States.

Illinois State University is undertaking a comprehensive internationalization effort, including expansion of internationally-oriented courses. It is also introducing more campuswide programs, student organizations, student services, civic engagement opportunities aimed at spreading an international focus.