Illinois State University, founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois. Illinois State is a co-educational, residential university that emphasizes undergraduate study with almost 21,000 students. Our 34 academic departments in six colleges offer 77 undergraduate programs in more than 160 fields of study.

Illinois State works as a diverse community of scholars, educators, and staff to support our commitment to fostering a small-college atmosphere with large-university opportunities. We promote the highest academic standards in our teaching, scholarship, public service, and the connections we build among them. We devote all of our resources and energies to creating the most supportive and productive community possible to serve the citizens of Illinois and beyond.