NCUK University Partner
Illinois State University
Illinois State University's main campus is in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, less than 300km from Chicago and St Louis. It has more than 20,000 students, including international students from 74 countries, and is described as offering a high-quality university experience at affordable prices.
College Values Online ranked the college town among the Top 5 Best Small College Towns in America. Bloomington-Normal has shops, arts venues and bike-friendly roads, plus an Amtrak station in Uptown Normal and Central Illinois Regional Airport about 10 minutes from campus.
The university's focus on employability gives students access to internships and jobs in nearby Chicago, St Louis and Indianapolis, with named recruiters including ADM, Cintas, Pekin Insurance and Northwestern Mutual.
#65
Best Value Schools (U.S. News & World Report 2024)
#85
Best Colleges for Information Technology (Niche.com 2024)
Top 5
Best Small College Towns in America (College Values Online)
78%
of international students continue to OPT or higher degrees within 3 months of graduation
400+
registered student organisations, including 50+ cultural organisations
Student life and city life
Student life centres on research opportunities, more than 400 registered student organisations (including over 50 cultural organisations), and networking with Fortune 500 companies through the university’s business connections, plus civic engagement opportunities.
Bloomington-Normal is a walkable college town with shops, arts venues and bike-friendly streets, and both Chicago and St Louis are within easy reach for weekend trips or internships.
Student support and accommodation
New students are welcomed through orientation (TROD) and academic seminars, with advising available through University College, including support for pre-health professionals, and free tutoring at the Julia N. Visor Academic Center.
Accommodation is based in residence halls, with Hewett-Manchester highlighted as a hall for international students; options are typically double rooms with shared bathrooms, and the university also helps graduate students find off-campus housing.
Facilities, sport and sustainability
Facilities include the renovated CVA Rotunda, which the university says serves around 4,000 students, and an expansion of the Mennonite College of Nursing building with VR-enabled clinical space intended to allow for 400 more students.
A sport club programme covers activities including baseball, badminton, lacrosse and tennis, alongside intramurals, fitness classes and adventure clubs.
The Office of Sustainability runs a zero-waste policy, LED lighting upgrades, an expanding solar panel programme and events such as Fix It Friday.
Veritas Pathways students on the International Foundation Year may progress to Illinois State University, subject to meeting its academic, English language, attendance and non-academic entry requirements.