Illinois State University Area Apartments for Rent

Illinois State University, also known as ISU, was founded in 1857 and is the oldest public university in Illinois. The university’s campus is in Normal, Illinois, within the twin-city community of Bloomington-Normal and 137 miles southwest of Chicago. Several interstates and state highways intersect at this location, creating a transportation hub. An Amtrak station is two blocks from the school.

ISU was the state’s first public university and today has an on-campus enrollment of 20,762 students, of whom 2,500 are graduate students.

Originally a teacher’s college, ISU is still recognized as one of the top ten largest producers of teachers in the US according to the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. However, since its founding ISU has evolved into a university offering a range of programs at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels.

The school has earned a number of accolades. The ISU School of Music’s Wind Symphony has released 10 albums with Albany Records. In 2009, The Society of Actuaries named Illinois State University one of the “Centers of Actuarial Excellence in North America” for its Actuarial Science program; and the school’s History Education program, housed in the History Department, has been cited as one of the leaders in that field.

Notable alumni include Paul Flessner, Senior Vice President of Microsoft; and Suzy Bogguss, country music singer and guitarist.