Founded in 1895, Eastern Illinois University is a comprehensive state university located in Charleston, Illinois. The university is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. It has consistently been recognized as one of the top Midwestern public universities by U.S. News & World Report, and has been named one of The Princeton Review’s Best Midwestern Colleges. The university is divided into seven schools: the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Sciences, the Honors College, the School of Continuing Education, the College of Education and Professional Studies, and the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences. Eastern Illinois University offers 47 bachelor’s and 27 master’s degree programs in Education, Business, Arts, Sciences, and Humanities. There are also 6 post-baccalaureate certificate programs. The most popular majors at Eastern Illinois University include: Business, Education, English, and Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Humanities. The student-to-faculty ratio at this university is 16:1.
Academic support services and other programs include Center for Academic Support and Achievement, the Office of Minority Affairs, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, and the Office of Study Abroad.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Eastern Illinois University.
Students who wish to apply to Eastern Illinois University must complete the (online or paper) application form and submit personal statement explaining the student’s plans to achieve academic excellence at Eastern Illinois University. Students must also submit an official high school transcript, an official SAT or ACT score report, and letters of recommendation from academic instructors and counselors. There is a nonrefundable application fee. The deadline for submitting an application is rolling, but space is limited. The priority application deadline is December 1.
Graduate students, transfer students, home-schooled students, and international students may need to use different procedures, so they should refer to the university’s website or contact the Office of Admissions for more information about the admissions process and application requirements.
Financial Aid
Eastern Illinois University offers a wide variety of financial aid programs. More than 50 percent of the university’s undergraduate students receive some form of state, federal, private or institutional financial assistance. In a single year, Eastern Illinois University students were awarded more than $118 million in financial aid. The average need-based grant or scholarship is $3,632. Forms of aid that are available for students at Eastern Illinois University include grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. The university also has a limited number of scholarships and awards that is awarded directly from the school. All students who wish to be considered for financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA should be submitted as soon as possible after January 1st each year. The priority filing deadline date is March 1. If selected for verification, students will also need to complete a Federal Verification Worksheet and/or additional documents. Students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office for more information and assistance with completing the financial aid application process.
The university also has a special textbook rental program, which saves students an average of several hundreds of dollars per semester. The rental fee is included in the school’s tuition and fees.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Eastern Illinois University 1467th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Illinois scholarships and financial aid
More than 40 percent of the students at Eastern Illinois University live on campus, in one of the twelve residence halls, fraternity housing, or in the University Apartments. Six of the residence halls are co-ed, while four are only for female students and two are only for male students. Each year, the residence halls participate in competitions and community service activities. The Residential Learning Communities in the residence halls help students succeed academically and socially, while giving them the opportunity to explore leadership, social justice and community engagement opportunities. Interesting aspects of the Residential Learning Communities include Panther House Calls, during which faculty and staff visit the residence halls and interact with students so that they get to know one another better. The Charleston Chew Program allows students to invite faculty members to eat with them in one of the residential dining centers. University Housing & Dining Services sponsors this program by covering the cost of the faculty member’s meal.
Eastern Illinois University has more than 230 recognized student organizations. They include academic, political, social, athletic, student government, religious, service, multicultural, and honor groups. Greek Life is a huge part of the university’s student life. There are nearly 30 fraternities and sororities. Popular programs and special events that are held annually include Family Weekend, Quakin’ the Quad, First Night, Up All Nites, Homecoming Week, concerts, Pantherpalooza, Pantherstock, MBEIU Pageant, and the iLEAD workshop series.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Eastern Illinois University?
Known as the Eastern Illinois University Panthers and sporting the school’s colors of blue and gray, the university’s intercollegiate teams compete at the NCAA Division I level, with the exception of the football team, which competes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. The following teams compete in the Ohio Valley conference: football; men’s and women’s basketball; baseball; softball; men’s and women’s golf; men’s and women’s cross country; men’s and women’s tennis; men’s and women’s soccer; men’s and women’s swimming; men’s and women’s indoor & outdoor track and field; and volleyball. The men’s soccer team competes in the Missouri Valley conference, the women’s rugby team is independent. The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams participate in the Summit League.
Intramural sports available include basketball, softball, ultimate frisbee, soccer, volleyball, walleyball, dodgeball, wiffleball, kickball, flag football, flickerball, and indoor soccer.
The Student Recreation Center has a fully equipped fitness center with aerobic, cardiovascular, and weight equipment; 6 indoor basketball/volleyball courts; an eighth-mile jogging track; a dance studio; and a lounge.
Alumni
Charlotte Martin, singer and songwriter
Larry Smith, CNN Headline News sports anchor
John Malkovich, actor
Paul N. Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer of Farmers Insurance Group
Marty Pattin, MLB All-Star pitcher
Ted Gregory, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
Tony Romo, NFL player and starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys
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almost 4 years agoSheran Broadway Benerth benerth ((at)) excite dot com
I am a proud graduate of EIU. The education I received there prepared me well for the challenges and diversity of situations I would face during my teaching career in Alaska.
Lack of equipment, no funds, no compensation for coaching, adverse weather, a male dominated society, no transportation services, and the nearest school for competition over 103 miles away were only a few of the obstacles. Somehow we did it.
Many new teachers came North, but few had the solid background of skills and knowledge I received at Eastern to draw from. Some didn't last long, others lasted too long.
I am now retired and still credit Eastern and the outstanding faculty with the success of my career.
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benerth ((at)) excite dot com
I am a proud graduate of EIU. The education I received there prepared me well for the challenges and diversity of situations I would face during my teaching career in Alaska. Lack of equipment, no funds, no compensation for coaching, adverse weather, a male dominated society, no transportation services, and the nearest school for competition over 103 miles away were only a few of the obstacles. Somehow we did it. Many new teachers came North, but few had the solid background of skills and knowledge I received at Eastern to draw from. Some didn't last long, others lasted too long. I am now retired and still credit Eastern and the outstanding faculty with the success of my career.