Illinois State University
- Public
- Research university
Illinois State University: international tuition 24,132 USD per year, one-year total cost 47,884 USD, acceptance rate 88.2%. Merit scholarships are open to international students. Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 81, Duolingo 110.
Merit aid is available through the International Admissions Scholarship for academically talented new students, with no separate scholarship application. The provided pages do not establish that international students can receive need-based aid.
Getting in. The school admits 88.2% of applicants. Admitted students scored around Reading and Writing 500–620, Math 490–590, ACT 21–27. The school does not require the SAT or ACT. For English, the school asks for IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL iBT 81+ or Duolingo 110+. If the English score is not there yet, the school can still admit conditionally.
Cost for a year. One year comes to 47,884 USD, before any scholarship. 1 scholarship is confirmed for international students, but nothing is taken off yet because the amount of each one is not clear. For the I-20, the school needs proof of 43,307 USD.
Deadline and visa. The application deadline is 1/4. You apply through Student Application Portal. How long the visa takes is up to the consulate; see the country note.
Admissions checked 10/10/2026Cost checked 12/10/2026
What is the tuition at Illinois State University?
International tuition is 24,132 USD per year. The total cost for one year is 47,884 USD.
Does Illinois State University offer scholarships for international students?
Merit scholarships are open to international students. Merit aid is available through the International Admissions Scholarship for academically talented new students, with no separate scholarship application. The provided pages do not establish that international students can receive need-based aid.
What English scores does Illinois State University require?
Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 81, Duolingo 110.
What is the acceptance rate at Illinois State University?
The acceptance rate is 88.2%.
- Pay in fullYesPay in fullOnce admitted you can enrol straight away — no scholarship decision to wait for.Your family covers all tuition and living costs for every year of the degree.You will need: your application and proof that your family can pay — the school needs it to issue your visa documents.
- Aid with the offerYesAid with the offerThe school decides aid while reviewing your application, so any need-based or merit award arrives with the offer.If you are admitted, the offer comes with aid: the school either sets what your family pays based on finances, or takes a merit scholarship off the tuition.You will need: no separate scholarship essay — the school considers you for merit aid from your application.
- Apply separately for scholarshipsUnclearApply separately for scholarshipsOn top of the admission application, you send a separate scholarship application or get nominated.The pages we read mention no scholarship with its own application. Not seeing one does not mean there is none — ask the school.
For Vietnamese students
Vietnamese community nearby
Students on campus lifeiPublic YouTube videos by students and the school, matched to this school's name; Vietnamese videos first. Each reflects its creator's own view.
- Camryn Santos2025Vlog
- Olivia Marie2024Vlog
- Olivia Marie2024Vlog
Contact
Tuition and cost for a year
Compared with 375 public United States schools with published tuition in Duckling's data.
What a year costs
Non-resident tuition for General Undergraduate at 15 credit hours per semester; the page does not explicitly say it applies to international students.
VND converted at Vietcombank's selling rate on 16/10/2026; indicative only — the real amount depends on the rate when you pay.
Scholarships and aid for international students
- Is merit considered automatically with the application?YesYes: the International Admissions Scholarship has no separate scholarship application and winners are notified at admission.
- Is admission need-blind for international applicants?UnclearUnclear: there is no statement that international admission decisions disregard an applicant's ability to pay.
- Is the CSS Profile or a school aid form required?UnclearUnclear: the site requires FAFSA for financial aid but does not mention CSS Profile or a separate international aid form.
Scholarships at this school
International Admissions ScholarshipMeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
The International Admissions Scholarship is stated for academically talented new students and requires no separate scholarship application.
- Renewable in later years
ISU Access GrantsIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.Need-basedNeed-basedAwarded on family financial circumstances, usually via the CSS Profile or the school's own form.Application method unclearSchool page
The page says ISU Access Grants serve families in the lowest income levels but does not confirm eligibility for international students.
Jesse W. Fell ScholarshipIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Separate application requiredSchool page
The page gives a GPA requirement for freshmen but does not state whether this scholarship is open to international students.
- Renewable in later years
Redbird Academic ScholarshipIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
The Redbird Academic Scholarship is explicitly limited to domestic freshmen with at least a 3.0 GPA, excluding international students.
- Renewable in later years
Admission requirements
Compared with 349 United States schools that publish an application fee in Duckling's data.
SAT / ACT of enrolled students
English
Application requirements
- High-school transcriptiSubmit unofficial records from every school attended, with an official English translation when records are not in English.Required
- English proficiencyiEnglish test results must be dated within two years of application unless you qualify for an English waiver.Required
- Proof of fundsiYou must demonstrate sufficient financial resources for the first year of study.Required
How to apply
Minimum English scores vs other schools
Compared with 534 United States schools admitting 70%+ that publish it in Duckling's data.
Compared with 454 United States schools admitting 70%+ that publish it in Duckling's data.
DeadlinesFall 2027
- Financial aid deadlineFinancial aidin31days
- Regular decision (RD)Application+168 days
Credit for exams
Sufficiently high AP scores may be considered for course exemption and/or credit; this page does not state a specific score threshold.
Appropriate IB scores receive proficiency for specified IB work; this page does not state a score threshold.
AP credit by subject
Lowest score that earns credit or placement, as the college reported to College Board. This is not an admission requirement. One exam can have several rows: a higher score sometimes earns more credit. Policy page the college gave College Board
63 courses. Scroll inside the table to see all.
Programs
Outcomes
Staying in United States after graduation
OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.
Climate
School & campus
Where the school is
Detailed map
Academics & housing
Why this school is listed: accepts applications through the Common App.
Updated 10/10/2026How Duckling sources data