Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
Illinois State University is a public institution in Normal, Illinois with 18,414 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $16,021 compared with a Illinois nursing-school average of $17,333. The school reports a graduation rate of 66.3%, median earnings of $62,117, and median federal debt of $20,482.
$16,021 is lower than the state average of $17,333.
66.3% is higher than the state average of 51.1%.
$62,117 is higher than the state average of $46,394.
About Illinois State University
| Location | Normal, Illinois |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | illinoisstate.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $16,021 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $28,086 |
| Total Enrollment | 18,414 |
| Acceptance Rate | 89.0% |
| Graduation Rate | 66.3% |
| Retention Rate | 81.3% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $62,117 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,482 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $217 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 30.0% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 45.4% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
30.0% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 45.4% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Illinois State University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $64,084, while the reported median debt is $20,482 with an estimated monthly payment of $217. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (66.5%), followed by Hispanic students (13.9%) and Black students (11.5%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($62,117) divided by median debt ($20,482)