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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Student & Graduate Reviews

Brian Hugh
  • Reviewed: 8/30/2022
  • Degree: Film Production
"The teachers here do not want you to succeed. I feel like I am always being held down by my classes and have zero time to actually be involved on campus. The curriculum for my major makes no sense whatsoever. I have never been more depressed in my life than I have been now while attending this school. Do not go here, it’s not a good time."
Nolan
  • Reviewed: 4/5/2022
  • Degree: Communications
"This school does not care about its students whatsoever. They are more concerned with taking our money whenever they see fit instead of actually trying to help the student body. Student concerns are of no concern to the student dean. Students are thrown aside like a piece of trash here. Classes and curriculum make zero sense and picking classes is just as equally garbage. I regret coming to this school and highly recommend any potential students find a different university to attend. I am disgusted to call myself a redbird and I carry so much mental suffering from this school."
Jillian Plunkett
  • Reviewed: 1/6/2020
  • Degree: Elementary Education
"I had an overall positive experience at Illinois State University. My professors knew the content, and the internship that I was able to partake in my senior year in place of traditional student teaching allowed me to enter my first year of teaching feeling as though I already had experience. The class that truly changed my perspective and led me to become an English teacher was my children's literature class with Professor Trites. Her passion for the subject sparked a passion in me, and she honestly taught me more than any of my education professors did. I wish the program would have been more focused on field experience, as that is what teaching truly is, as opposed to reading about other practices and writing papers on them. But, overall I had a great experience and would recommend the ISU education program to any of those interested."
Maritza
  • Reviewed: 9/19/2019
  • Degree: Teaching
"In Illinois State University the staff and students are all very nice and are willing to help you in any way they can. The campus is of a medium size and the place to relax is the quad; where you can bring a hammock, play Frisbee and walk around with your pet. Students that are perusing a History degree at Illinois State University are provided with the necessary resources to succeed."
Jordan McQuade
  • Reviewed: 9/12/2019
  • Degree: Accounting
"Illinois State University has been the best home away from home a girl can ask for. Not only are college courses difficult, but leaving home is especially difficult. From the moment I stepped foot on campus I felt a sense of home. The campus is large enough that it looks and feels like a college town, but small enough to still feel like you know all the ins and outs of the campus. Not only is the campus itself wonderful but the dorms are a great setting. Getting to join a Facebook community before college to talk and try and find a roommate was a great start, and then having a dining hall connected to my dorm was amazing! Not just that but there is a magnitude of housing and dining options to fit everyone's wants and needs. From there the classes are wonderful. The largest lecture I sat in was around 200 and that was only Freshman year for general education courses. From there my major courses have been class sizes of 20-30 with professors who are qualified to teach the subject and who genuinely care for your education. Outside of the classroom is where I feel ISU does their best work. The opportunities for joining Student Organizations are endless. With organizations for just about any interest or hobby it is not hard to find another home outside of the classroom. Professors often push student organization involvement on campus, and it is such a remarkable way to meet friends and further your education outside of the classroom. Moving from there ISU has many great connections with companies and host career and internship fairs to help find work post graduation. This is such an opportunity and shows that ISU truly cares about helping their students with a successful future. Overall, I love ISU (although I am biased) and feel that it truly the best college to attend."
Alinda
  • Reviewed: 4/8/2019
  • Degree: Psychology
"I attended Illinois State University as a transfer student between 2012 and 2014. Even though I was a transfer student, I found myself being easily immersed in the college experience and classes. I got involved in extracurriculars and volunteer work that helped expand my skill set and knowledge. These experiences have made a big impact in job interviewing and for pursuing graduate school. People are impressed with the work I did as an undergraduate student. ISU challenged me as a student at times, but I learned from those experiences. I never had a teacher that I disliked. ISU also offers interesting and great elective courses. If you see something that catches your eye, definitely take the class, it will be worth it!"
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 4/2/2019
  • Degree: Nursing
"I currently attend this school and I I have to be honest it is a huge waste of time. A good amount of time at clinicals is spent just trying to pass the day and they require an extremely high amount of clinical hours which makes it an even bigger waste. Along with clinical hours, they make you attend countless seminars and events, some that you have to pay for, that are of no value. They truly do not value the time of students. I am writing this review from a pointless 12 hour seminar. 3 of the hours were spent at a coffee shop because of poor planning on the instructors/administrators part. On top of wasting our time, much of the staff does not really know what they are doing and do not contribute to students education. I do not recommend this school. Do NOT go here. -from an honest reviewer"
Shelli Oesch
  • Reviewed: 11/19/2018
  • Degree: Nursing
"My education through Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing provided me with a valuable foundation of learning and inquiry that I have built a successful career on. The professors were readily available to assist with learning and professional development. The clinical opportunities were applicable to my current professional practice, though most were located out of town. I took the NCLEX exam with great confidence, passing without difficulty."
Hannah
  • Reviewed: 5/28/2018
  • Degree: Journalism
"The School of Communication at Illinois State University is one of the best. All of the professors have real life experience in what they are teaching and implement those experiences into teaching you what you need to know All of the classes are very hands on, which helps you once you get a job in your career field."
Lindsey Wixom
  • Reviewed: 5/6/2018
  • Degree: Marketing - Advertising
"ISU professors are very accessible and willing to work with their students. ISU professors do research studies and other work for the university outside of the classroom, but they do not let that take away from their job as a professor. With a few exceptions, I have to say that my overall impression through the years has been that the professors genuinely care about each of their students! It is refreshing and makes students feel comfortable in the learning environment. Class participation is universal, lectures are standard, and in my major, we do a lot of presentations and practice lessons. Also, business casual dress is required of all college of business students. ISU really and truly is a fantastic school to go to if you are considering business. ISU is known for their education program, as well as business and nursing. Students are on a spectrum here, so some are competitive while others want to graduate. Teachers have office hours here, and I have also never met a professor that was not willing to work with the student if they needed to meet at a different time. I would suggest joining student organizations as there are many on campus and are a great way to get to know other students."
Tracey Sands
  • Reviewed: 4/28/2018
  • Degree: Public Relations
"I went to Illinois State University after one year at a community college. My advisor was very helpful in getting me acquainted with the different programs in the School of Communication, and once I figured out what I wanted to study, she was just as involved with my plan of study. (Just so happens that the Public Relations program at Illinois State is an accredited program, which they have a few of those...very impressive!) I highly recommend getting involved on campus -- with different student organizations and with your professors. Illinois State has some of the most passionate professors and they LOVE what they do. Although the professors are your superior, they treat you as an equal. Which is very healthy for a learning environment. Ilstu was very proactive in helping me gain experience outside of the classroom with internships. I was able to hold (3) internships within a year and a half because I had guidance and connections through the school. Illinois State is one of those schools that, if you're proactive, big things can happen. It is a larger institution so sometimes it feels as if you're just a number, but if you put yourself out there with students and faculty, you'll feel a strong connection."
Alex
  • Reviewed: 2/13/2018
  • Degree: Public Health
"Illinois State Health Promotion program is by far one of the best in the nation. The faculty really demonstrate competency in public health and prepares students to become health promotion specialist and pursue other allied health careers. GO REBIRDS."
Gabriel
  • Reviewed: 2/8/2018
  • Degree: Clinical Psychology
"Selecting Illinois State University is one of the best decision I ever made especially their Clinical - Counseling Psychology graduate program. They provide so much opportunity to lean both in class and get enough training outside class before you graduate. The DBT skills training course is phenomenal."
Salman Ibrahim
  • Reviewed: 2/8/2018
  • Degree: Clinical Psychology
"The Clinical-Counseling psychology master's program at Illinois State University is one of the most versatile and eclectic master's psychology programs in the country. For starters, it is one of the only dual clinical/counseling programs in the country. The members of the clinical-counseling faculty have expertise in both research and clinical work. The professors seamlessly integrate traditional classroom lectures, seminar discussions, and hands-on practice. Students in the program are trained to have a holistic approach to mental health which incorporates theories from both clinical and counseling psychology. In addition to training students to be exceptional clinicians, students are trained to be scientists that are educated consumers of research. As a graduation requirement, students are expected to complete a thesis or capstone project, which gives them the opportunity to contribute to the growing body of research in their field. The thesis/capstone processes is laid out in a clear and logical manner, which optimizes efficiency. In addition to the research component, students are given the opportunity to spend a full year at a community agency completing their clinical-counseling practicum. The 20-hour-a-week practicum allows students, under qualified supervision, the opportunity to engage in individual/group counseling, assessment, and case management. I wholeheartedly believe that the practicum component is what sets this program apart from all others. The practicum has been so successful at preparing students in the program to be full-time counselors that a significant portion of the graduating class fields multiple job offers immediately after graduation! Alumni careers include well sought-after positions like Addiction Therapist/Substance Abuse Counselor, Behavioral Health Specialist, and Clinical Program Coordinator. Last but definitely not least; this is one of the only fully funded psychology programs in the country! Upon admission, you receive a graduate assistantship that comes with a 100% tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. The financial assistance that this program offers has made pursuing graduate education far less stressful than I expected. My time in this program, while rigorous, has been incredibly fruitful, I feel 110% ready to enter the workforce with confidence. If you are even considering applying to a clinical/counseling master's program, you would be doing yourself a great disservice if you didn't look into applying for The Clinical-Counseling psychology master's program at Illinois State University!"
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: Communications
"The school offers a lot of opportunities for success, community engagement and giving back! The library is filled of amazing resources and plenty of spaces to get work done."
Brittany McNish
  • Reviewed: 6/29/2017
  • Degree: Elementary Education
"Choosing a college is a major decision in beginning the path towards your future. Illinois State is by far the best college for developing career ready students who feel confident and prepared to dive into the career field of their choice. I attended Illinois State University for Elementary Education and was so impressed by the experiences and opportunities the university provided me with in order to prepare me for my first year teaching. They truly immerse you in real work experiences, so that you can learn what to expect when you are out on your own. When I began interviewing for my first teaching job, having Illinois State on my resume sparked many conversations with interviewers about their time at ISU or their positive experiences working with ISU alumni. It gave me a boost of confidence knowing that I was representing a university that was thought so highly of. The campus at Illinois State is always buzzing with activities, celebrations and things to do. They cultivate a community where everyone is involved and can find their place. In my four years at ISU, Bloomington definitely became a place I started to recognize as home. It is a place where I will go back to and reminisce on all the great times this college provided me with. If you are looking for a university where you will feel supported, encouraged, and pushed to be the best you can possibly be Illinois State is the place for you!"
RB4L
  • Reviewed: 6/25/2017
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"Illinois State University by far is one of the best institutions in the midwest that will really prepare students for life after college. The skills and network opportunities that the school still provides to this day are really valuable. As a former Redbird, I highly recommend this institution!!!"
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Communications
"I loved my college. It was a great school that offered amazing experiences"
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Business
"I think its extremely beneficial and teaches you how to handle lots of different situations that might be thrown at you and also knowledge based material."
bc1984
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: History
"I truly enjoyed my experience at ISU. I went to a private Jesuit university for undergrad, and I was initially worried about the quality of education that I would receive at a state school. ISU surpassed my expectations. The professors were great, and I loved the experience."