Illinois State University Reviews

  • 70 Reviews
  • Normal (IL)
  • Annual Tuition: $27,011
98% of 70 students said this degree improved their career prospects
93% of 70 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Programs with 5+ Reviews

Student & Graduate Reviews

Dana Renee, Music Therapy Grad Student, 2009
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Education
"ISU was a fantastic school to go to for my Master's - it was affordable, I was awarded an assistantship, the classes & professors were great, and the campus is beautiful!"
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Psychology
"I loved the experience I received from Illinois State University. The location has everything you need within a 10 minute drive and still has a small-town feel to it. The campus and atmosphere was very welcoming. My program was very educational and prepared me for my career. The staff was knowledgeable, compassionate, and understanding. My whole experience was enjoyable."
Michala Kinney
  • Reviewed: 4/27/2017
  • Degree: Sociology
"I always had my heart set on attending Illinois State University prior to my acceptance for many reasons but mainly for the Family and Consumer Science program focusing in on Human Development and Family Relationships. After gaining acceptance to Illinois State University, I took advantage of all the wonderful opportunities the program had to offer. This honorary program has educated me in the skills needed to become successful within my future career along with hands-on opportunities through my involvement within student organizations and outside volunteer opportunities."
Megan McCormack
  • Reviewed: 4/19/2017
  • Degree: Special Education
"Illinois State University's Special Education (LBS I) program helped me get ahead in my work field before I even began! When I was applying for jobs, many interviewers were impressed that I graduated from ISU with a LBS I degree before the interview even began. Due to my rock-solid bachelor's foundation, I am looking forward to adding on a graduate degree beginning in the fall of 2017."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 4/18/2017
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"I had a great overall experience! I particularly enjoyed my departmental instructors. The professors in my department were very helpful and knowledgeable. The department provided helpful academic advisement. I am thankful for all the lessons learned throughout my experiences at Illinois State University."
Kristin Horney
  • Reviewed: 3/21/2017
  • Degree: Nursing
"I graduated from ISU's Mennonite College of Nursing in May 2015. To say I am grateful to that program is an understatement. They welcome you in with open arms, and the teachers go above and beyond to help you succeed. Tutoring is always available. They even set you up with a mentor in your first year to make sure you get all of the help you need. I was an athlete and I had to swim 30+ hours a week, not including the time spent at meets and in the weight room. The nursing program LOVES ATHLETES! They helped me in every way that they could, and made sure that I was getting everything I needed to be successful. The teachers hold you accountable, but are always your biggest cheerleaders. The simulation lab is unbelievable and was created to give you life like scenarios that truly aid you in learning and build confidence for when you are in the real world with real patients. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Now moving on I will be attending Olivet Nazarene for my FNP and I feel fully prepared for what lies ahead, solely based on the fact that Mennonite College of Nursing prepared me for anything the nursing world throws at me."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 1/31/2017
  • Degree: Education
"ISU was a community in which professors, staff, and students work together to create a safe, fun learning environment. Experiences gained there will last a lifetime."
SP
  • Reviewed: 1/31/2017
  • Degree: Counseling
"College was very influential in helping me decide my future career and helping me shape my views about the world around me. It made me a critical thinker and deepened my love of learning."
Andy W
  • Reviewed: 1/24/2017
  • Degree: Accounting
"Illinois State University was a wonderful place to get a college education. In the classroom, it has the feel of a small university in that the class sizes are small and the professor teaches the course. Illinois State also has the benefits of a large university in that it is large enough to attract many big companies in the area to attend the career fair. With Illinois University, you get the benefits of both small and large universities."
MsALibra86
  • Reviewed: 1/24/2017
  • Degree: Mathematics
"Very challenging to get master's degree but also rewarding. Had it paid for by the mathematics department, so financials were not a problem. The school has beautiful scenery."
Smilegal
  • Reviewed: 1/3/2017
  • Degree: Education
"It is convenient for those living close and offers an excellent education"
Shae
  • Reviewed: 1/3/2017
  • Degree: Psychology
"I loved ISU. The faculty was very warm and welcoming. They do whatever they can to help students graduate. They only accept students into their program if they can provide students with a tuition waiver. Faculty of the program is recognized around the United States and have published a lot of research. They get you involved in different activities at the beginning of your schooling. This allows you to determine early on if you want to continue in the field or do something different. Also, Normal, IL is a great place. It's small enough to feel small town but big enough to have everything you need."
Nicole jones
  • Reviewed: 9/21/2016
  • Degree: School Counseling
"Currently, I am a graduate student at Illinois State University. I will graduate May 2017 with a Master's of Science in College Student Personnel Administration. My cohort is small and is tailored to students who wants individualized attention. Also, my program discusses current issues and policy changes to benefit future student affairs professionals. Illinois State also accommodates graduate students financially by providing tuition waivers and graduate assistantships to each students. The professors are caring some even have scholarships for traveling to professional conferences in different states."
Daniel Kyinakwa
  • Reviewed: 8/9/2016
  • Degree: Teaching
"It is a professional degree designed to improve the content and pedagogical knowledge of teachers of chemistry who already possess a bachelor's degree in Chemistry. This Master of Science in Chemistry Education is a unique program which I found difficult to find in many universities. It will enable me qualify as a professional teacher and also improve my teaching methods. I strongly recommend it for those who have bachelor's degree in chemistry and are interested in teaching."
Megan J.
  • Reviewed: 6/30/2016
  • Degree: Exercise Science
"Illinois State University's kinesiology program was welcoming and strove to produce excellent students. The head of the department challenged us to think outside the constraints of past studies and to get involved with graduate students' work in the field and in the lab. During my final semester, I undertook a study with Dr. C, a sports psychologist and one of the professors in the program. She helped me develop a hypothesis and procedure to collect data that she and her students would use the following semester in class. Undergrads were also encouraged to intern at facilities on and off campus. Working with ISU's Health Promotion and Wellness Program I learned to counsel students on the weight of small decisions and their impact on personal health and overall wellbeing. The kinesiology program at Illinois State University nurtured my natural talents, and then provided me the tools to really hone in on the skills of influencing people, giving back to our community, and to be curious about physiology and the positive and negative effects of exercise."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 5/31/2016
  • Degree: Information Systems
"The university is in a small town. There's not a lot of diversity within the students. The campus is nice. The ITK program is good."
Brooke Burns
  • Reviewed: 5/30/2016
  • Degree: English
"Illinois State University gave me far more than I ever expected. Specifically, it was their English Department that allows me to give this school such rave reviews. In fact, ISU's English Department outranks the University's ranking. I think that at a public university like ISU, students can receive just as good of an education that they can at a higher ranked school. However, I'm not one that believes in rankings so much, because there is so much more to a school than how it ranks on any list. While smaller, private schools tend to spoon-feed opportunities, guidance, and small course sizes to its students, the same can be achieved at a public university, and that is certainly true for Illinois State. The only difference is that students have to make the effort to get that guidance, get those opportunities, get those small, and amazing courses. My courses were never larger than 25 students, except for a few big lectures during my freshman year. I did the work and researched all of the professors and courses before I would sign up for them to ensure that I would get the best education and best possible experience in the course. It worked. And it worked far better than I ever could have imagined. ISU's English Department changed me. It changed the way I viewed society, myself, and the world in general. It made me a better person, a better writer, and a better thinker. Above all, it helped guide me on the path I'm on now. I credit all my academic and professional success to that school, and I wouldn't be where I am today without it. Now, having completed a master's degree in English, I am about to begin a second master's in teaching at the University of San Diego, and I received a prestigious scholarship as well. I know I did a lot of the work myself to get here, but without ISU, I know I couldn't have achieved my dreams in the same way. ISU's English Department is absolutely fantastic and I would urge any student serious about writing or English studies to give ISU a closer look. It blew my mind, and I'm sure it will continue to have that same impact on its students for years to come."
TaVashane Brown
  • Reviewed: 1/10/2016
  • Degree: Communications
"This program allows great flexibility where students design their course work so that it best fits their personal interests. (Only 2 courses are required) Illinois State University's graduate program for Communications is recognized nationally. The faculty and staff support is incredible. Normal, IL is a beautiful and affordable town to live in. I would like to see more diversity in the program. (Students and staff) The technology on campus could use some updating."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 11/9/2015
  • Degree: Communications
"Illinois State University is an incredible school - it offers a small school atmosphere with large school opportunities."
Seymour
  • Reviewed: 10/13/2015
  • Degree: English
"I loved my time in Bloomington-Normal. Being a student freed me, in a way. It taught me to hold myself accountable and gave me so many opportunities to explore my passions. I loved it!"