UNDERGRADUATE Profiles Publish Date 2/26/09

Illinois State University

College of Business

Getting In

PROGRAM BASICS

College of Business at Illinois State University

Campus Box 5500
Illinois State University
Normal , Illinois 61790

Public Institution

Web site

http://www.IllinoisState.edu/business

Program e-mail address:

cobinfo@ilstu.edu

Program telephone number:

(309) 438-2251

AACSB accredited:

Yes

Accreditation other than AACSB:

Consortium for Undergraduate International Business Ed
Professional Society for Sales & Marketing Training

Year in which the undergraduate business program was founded:

1967

Length of entire institution:

Four Year

Business program length:

Four Year

Degrees offered:

Degree/Program Name:
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science in Education
Bachelor of Science/Master of Professional Accountancy

PROGRAM COSTS

Annual Tuition (Resident):

$ 7,680

Annual Tuition (Non-Resident)

$ 14,310

Cost per academic credit (resident)

$ 256

Cost per academic credit (non-resident)

$ 477

Required fees

$ 1,812

Books:

$ 933

Room and board:

$ 7,458

ENROLLMENT

Full-time undergraduate business student enrollment:

3,203

Part-time undergraduate business student enrollment:

126

Distance undergraduate business student enrollment:

Total College enrollment for 2008-09:

20,450

ADMISSIONS

Interviews for entire college:

By invitation only

Additional application requirements for entire college:

All incoming freshmen are required to submit a personal statement along with their application. International students must also earn a total score of 79 on the internet based test (IBT), 550 on the pencil/paper test or 213 on the computer based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Transfer students: Highest admission priority will be granted to students with the strongest academic records. The average transfer grade point average is 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.

Upcoming application deadlines for entire college:

Semester: 08-15-2009
Deadline: 03-01-2009
Semester: 01-15-2010
Deadline: 09-01-2009
Semester: 05-15-2010
Deadline: 03-01-2010

Freshmen admitted into business program:

Yes

Percentage of business students admitted as freshmen:

81 %

Are the freshman admits to the business program required to complete pre-business courses before beginning upper-lever courses in the junior year?

Yes

Freshmen admitted by:

Indicate interest on university application

Minimum requirements for business program:

Entrance exam requirement other than SAT/ACT for business program:

Interview to enter business program:

Not required

Additional application requirements for freshman admits:

New freshmen must meet Illinois State University admission requirements prior to being considered for a College of Business major. Admission into the College of Business is selective and considers a prospective high school transcript (grade trends and rigor of courses completed), class rank, GPA, ACT/SAT scores, personal statement, and in some cases letters of recommendation. Students are also encouraged to complete a rigorous high school math sequence.

Minimum college GPA for internal business program transfers:

2.5

Additional requirements for internal transfers:

Internal transfers must have earned at least 12 graded hours at Illinois State University with a 2.50 or higher cumulative GPA. Students with more than 45 semester hours completed are also required to have earned grades of "C" or better in six foundation tool courses. Accountancy and Business Administration majors must have a B/C grade combination in the accounting tool courses. Internal applications are considered during the months of September and February of each academic year.

Total number of full-time applications for entire college:

14,004

International applicants, entire college, 2008-09:

1 %

Female applicants, entire college, 2008-09:

60 %

Selectivity--applicants admitted to undergraduate business program, 2008-09:

62 %

Yield -- applicants enrolled in undergraduate business program, 2008-09:

39 %

Relative Importance of Application Elements:

Secondary School Record:

Important

Class Rank:

Important

Talent/Ability:

Considered

Interview:

Considered

Extracurricular Activities:

Considered

Volunteer Work:

Considered

Character/Personal Abilities:

Considered

Application Essay:

Important

Work Experience:

Considered

SAT/ACT Scores:

Very Important

Recommendations:

Considered

High School GPA:

Very Important

Admissions program managed by:

The university admissions office

Total undergraduate business program applicants, 2008-09:

2,618

Applicants enrolled in undergrad business program 2008-2009:

37 %

Applicants admitted to undergraduate business program, 2008-09:

62 %

CLASS PROFILE

Class Profile:

Female: 38 %
International : 1 %

Entering students by age:

Mean: 18
Median: 18

Citizenship of Entering Students

U.S.: 98 %
Other countries: 2 %

Percentage of US citizens in entering class who are:

African American: 5 %
Asian American: 3 %
Hispanic or Latino American: 3 %
White (Non-Hispanic): 86 %
Chose not to report: 3 %

Entering students from the following region:

Midwest : 100 %

SAT Scores for full-time entering business students on 1600 scale:

From: N/A To: N/A

ACT Scores for full-time entering business students:

Mean: 24
Median: 24

ACT middle 50% range:

From: 22
To: 25

Percent of Students Who Were In:

Top 10% of high school class

11 %

Top 25% of high school class:

34 %

HS GPA of 3.75 or higher

16 %

HS GPA of 3.5 to 3.74:

18 %

FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid handled by:

Central financial aid office at the university

Institutional scholarship money distributed to undergraduate business students in previous academic year:

$ 2,535,124

Institutional scholarship money to be distributed to undergraduate business students in current academic year:

$ 2,533,252

Scholarships awarded to students in the business program based on:

A combination of need and merit

Scholarship consideration process:

Unique scholarship application

Other scholarship considerations:

N/A

Students receiving institutional scholarships for 2008-09 academic year:

15 %

Undergraduate business students with full-tuition scholarships 2008-09:

18 %

Percentage of institutional scholarship money distributed to business students based on merit, 2008-09 year:

29 %

Percentage of institutional scholarship money distributed to business students based on need, 2008-09:

60 %

School offers guaranteed loans:

Financial aid web site

http://www.financialaid.ilstu.edu

Academics & Lifestyle

PROGRAM BASICS

Business students who graduate within four years:

40 %

Business students who graduate within 6 years:

53 %

Freshman retention rate:

84 %

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Credit hours required for graduation:

Degree: BS
Hours: 120
Degree: BA
Hours: 120

Other degree requirements:

Students must earn grades of "C" or better in all business core classes as well as all required major courses to satisfy degree requirements.

ACADEMICS

Average class size in required business courses:

Average class size in business electives:

Average class size in non-business electives required for admission to business program:

Class size:

Classes with fewer than 20 students: 28 %
Classes with 21 to 50 students: 62 %
Classes with more than 50 students: 10 %

Required business courses that reached maximum enrollment by the first day of class, previous academic year:

61 %

Required business courses that had waiting lists, 2007-08:

1 %

CURRICULUM

Number of elective courses available in business program:

Electives added current year:

Management of Employee Benefits
Assessing Export Readiness
Export Seminar

Year of the last major change to the business program's core curriculum:

2000

Leading areas of study:

Accounting

Finance

Insurance

International Business

Marketing

Special programs for business students:

The Katie School of Insurance helps students connect with industry by supporting professional development opportunities, international internships, and a student leadership program. The Accountancy program has a long tradition of excellence for passing the CPA exam and offers a preparation course in partnership with Becker. The Educational Investment Fund program allows students to manage a securities portfolio of $275,000. The Sales program is nationally ranked and sponsors a certificate program. The International Business program offers international internships and consulting projects through the Export Project.

Business program offers work study or co-op opportunities:

Yes

A small number of students have completed work study and co-op opportunities where they work for a semester and then go to school for a semester. The majority of students complete a traditional 12 week internship.

Business program offers study abroad opportunities:

Yes

Study abroad program description:

The College of Business sponsors both summer and semester-long study abroad programs and has partner institutions in England, France, Spain, Mexico, Japan, Germany, Thailand, and Canada. Additional partnerships are under development. In addition, the University sponsors summer and semester programs in 16 countries and National Student Exchange opportunities in 48 of 50 states plus Guam, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and Canada.

Volunteer work and community service opportunities:

Yes

Volunteer opportunities description:

Several business courses include a service learning component. Students also get involved in philanthropy through one of the 20 business related student organizations. The Student Volunteer Center on campus enhances and expands student involvement through meaningful community service. The Student Volunteer Center encourages students to become active within their communities and to make community service and civic activism a valued part of their educational experience.

Business clubs and extracurricular activities:

There are 20 student organizations in the College of Business that provide opportunities for networking developing leadership and organizational skills and learning about professional issues and career options
Each year College of Business student organizations earn regional and national recognition for their excellence

FACULTY

Faculty:

Full-time faculty : 103
Adjuncts and visiting faculty: 14
Permanent/tenured professors: 59
Percentage of permanent/tenured professors who are women: 24
Percentage of permanent/tenured professors who are underrepresented minorities: 5
Percentage of permanent/tenured professors who are also members of company boards of directors or of advisors: 3
Percentage of permanent/tenured professors who are business owners: 1

Prominent faculty:

Richard MacMinn
Victor Devinatz
Michael Williams

STUDENT LIFE

Largest on-campus organizations for business students:

American Marketing Association
Gamma Iota Sigma
Student Accounting Society
Financial Management Association
Pi Sigma Epsilon

Freshmen are required to live on campus:

Yes

Business students are grouped in learning communities:

Yes

TECHNOLOGY

Wireless network available:

Yes

Technological improvements made in the last three years:

The university has covered most of the campus with wireless access. Students use a portal for most support activities. A computer is now required for all freshmen, and there is an office that helps students purchase computers and software at discounted rates.

Trading laboratory available:

Yes

Alumni Affairs & Careers

ALUMNI

Total number of undergraduate business program graduates since inception:

30,050

Total living alumni:

29,250

Percent of alumni who gave, 2007-08 academic year:

5 %

Mean alumni gift 2007-08:

$ 265

Median alumni gift, 2007-08:

$ 75

Single donation in excess of $10 million in 2007-08?

Prominent alumni:

Name: Jim Tyree
Title: Chairman and CEO of Mesirow Financial
Name: Michael Richard
Title: Senior VP & Treasurer of McDonald's Corp
Name: Tom Reedy
Title: President and CEO of ITRACS Corporation

CAREER SERVICES

Percent of 2008 graduates who provided employment information:

37 %

Seeking full-time employment in business: 75 %
Not Seeking full-time employment in business: 25 %

Number of companies recruiting undergraduate students on campus in previous academic year:

435

Companies that posted full-time job offers/positions on school job boards, previous academic year:

346

Other activities and services provided for business majors:

The Career Center is a valuable central resource for our students, alumni, faculty, and a wide variety of employers in search of well-prepared candidates. The Center assists students in deciding on a major and can guide them through the exploration of satisfying career opportunities that match their talents, interests and goals. The Center staff also helps individuals to develop job search skills in order to pursue full-time positions, as well as internships/cooperative education, and part-time jobs. The Center manages the eRecruiting system on campus. eRecruiting is a web-based job credential and posting service for both students and employers. Several career fairs are hosted throughout the year to help link employers with qualified student candidates for both professional jobs and internship opportunities.

Job offer results, 2008 graduates:

Received first job offer by graduation: 51 %
Did not report having received a job offer: 49 %
Accepted first job offer by graduation: 51 %
Did not report having accepted a job offer: 49 %

Top hiring firms:

State Farm
Caterpillar
Wells Fargo
Target Corp.

Allstate Insurance
Archer Daniels Midland
Country Financial
Edward Jones
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Hewitt Associates
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
RSM McGladrey/McGladrey Pullen
Sherwin Williams
Traveler's Insurance
Zurich North America

Graduate compensation:

Mean base salary: $ 44,630
Median base salary: $ 47,500

Grads accepted jobs in following functional areas:

Grads accepted jobs in following industries:

Percentage of job acceptances, US and Canada:

US: 100 %

Grads accepted jobs in the following US regions:

Mid-Atlantic: 2 %
Midwest: 94 %
South: 2 %
West: 2 %

Number of companies recruiting interns on-campus, 2007-08 academic year:

122

Internship postings on job boards, previous academic year:

291

Top internship recruiters, 2007-08:

State Farm
Caterpillar
Target Corp.
Walgreens

Country Financial
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Northwestern Mutual
McDonalds
State of Illinois
Fastenal
Center for Performance Development
DC Interactive
Electrolux
Windy City Wire
Chicago Office Technology Group

Percentage of internships that were paid, previous academic year

76 %

Mean internship compensation per week:

$ 461

Median internship compensation per week:

$ 460

Average internship, in weeks:

Graduate Comments

The school strongly makes an effort to emphasize professionalism and ethics throughout the College of Business. In many classes, we frequently have industry professionals come in and work directly with us on special projects. There is not one TA teaching classes in the entire College of Business. For my introductory to business class (Business 100), I had a professor with a PhD and several years of industry experience. We have a variety of business clubs for every major to participate in. The presidents of each club meet with the dean of students each month to discuss current issues within the College of Business, and [they] are able to implement changes.

The program does not like having TAs teach classes on a regular basis. About 99% of all class lectures are done by the professor. The professors are almost always available to answer questions in their offices outside of class.

The size is perfect. You get the large university opportunities but the small to medium university attention and focus. It is amazing because the professors know who you are and what you are about.

Career fairs, organizations, and school events are advertised and made available more so than other schools. This greatly encourages the students to get involved. This promotes an atmosphere of school pride, and as students are in contact with each other, they gain opportunities to learn the soft skills necessary to be a great commodity in the business work environment.

We are one of the few programs in the country to offer a dedicated insurance major and the support necessary to make it worthwhile. Being located in the same city as two of the largest insurance companies in the country provides an unparalleled opportunity for internships and career possibilities.

They offer many different major paths. One option is the BS/MPA where students can start working toward their masters in professional accounting while they are still an undergraduate student. This allows for the completion of a Masters in less time, while still giving the students the full college experience.

The assignments can be applied to the real world. Also, there are lots of opportunities to develop yourself as a leader and make yourself stand out among other students.

With over 20,000 students at ISU my classes usually only have 20 to 30 students in them and that sets up a great learning environment.

Our College of Business is a new facility that was built within the last five years. Its classrooms and resources are comfortable and more than adequate to get what I need to get done. My major also requires a dress code that has helped me to develop a high sense of confidence and professionalism in my mind. I believe that this has helped me more than anything in my life to develop as a person and grow in my abilities. Also, I truly believe that this college has prepared me for my future career and I now believe that I can handle any job after college.

I think that having large campus resources of a state school but the small academic setting of a private school is something that is not common on a college campus. The College of Business allows students to specialize within our major. This promotes close relationships with our professors and other staff and faculty within the college. Our College of Business provides a variety of opportunities within every major, and the end goal of every business course is to make ourselves more marketable to potential employers and developing students into "young professionals."

Job recruiters are constantly coming to campus, including ISU's large career fairs. Professors prepare students for a career and always help students find jobs and internships.

The new facilities provide a good opportunity for students to complete coursework and become familiar with technologies utilized in the business world, such as focus group rooms and international video conferences.

Our school (the marketing majors) was one of the first to implement a required business attire for classes. By doing this, I find myself paying more attention in classes and being better prepared.

ISU was my first choice because it is the only public university in the state to offer international business as a major. However, after a few semesters, the areas of study available (along with the high quality of teachers) encouraged me to pursue an additional major and minor.

We do a large amount of valuable projects each semester in the core classes of my major. We not only do simulations of real-life situations but we have been given the opportunity to work and network with potential future employers. We do not just learn the material but we also do a lot of hands-on work that allows us to become more familiar with the way things are executed in the work environment.

I believe our College of Business takes great pride in teaching professionalism and strong ethical behaviors to the students. The professors all work to set a good example for the students to follow.

I was away from college for 25 years. The admissions office was very helpful and supportive with guiding me through the toughest and most enjoyable experience I could have hoped to have with going back to school and graduating. The marketing department was first class. The most rewarding experience I have had since my children were born. Illinois State University was fantastic.

To be brutally honest, the professors, facility, curriculum, and quality of education have all vastly exceeded my expectations. There is just one weakness I see, and that is a lack of banks and other financial institutions available for networking with finance students. The finance arms of State Farm, Country Insurance, Caterpillar, and Kraft are all notable and substantial exceptions.

I have found that the professors in the accounting department are very good at my school, but some of the other business departments leave something to be desired. I think that the other departments spend too much time "preparing us for the real world" and not enough time teaching their material in an interesting and engaging way.