Eastern Illinois University

History of Eastern Illinois University 

Eastern Illinois University was established in the east-central portion of Illinois by the Illinois State Legislature in 1895 as Eastern Illinois State Normal School. It was started on a 40-acre campus in Charleston with an aim to train teachers for schools in East Central Illinois. After the first building was commissioned, classes began in 1899 with 125 students and an 18-member faculty. In 1921, it became a state teacher’s college and was renamed Eastern Illinois State College in 1947. The educational institution was elevated to the status of a university in the year 1957.

Education at Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University has six colleges that offer courses according to specializations. 

The six colleges in EIU are:

• Lumpkin College of Business and Technology
• College of Education
• College of Health and Human Services
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Honors College
• Graduate School

EIU is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The university offers 51 undergraduate degree programs, 32 graduate degree programs and 10 post-baccalaureate certificate programs. The Eastern Illinois University acceptance rate is 56%.

All the programs offered by the colleges in EIU are designed so that students are prepared to accomplish their life goals. The curriculum combines quality education, nurturing personal relationships, and ample opportunities for both on-campus and online students.

Career Opportunities for students at Eastern Illinois University

The outcome of Eastern Illinois University careers exceeded the national average by 8.3%. Besides excellent academic preparation, students at EIU are expected to demonstrate a strong work ethic and a desire to be successful. Students can be a part of the four-year student career plan and complete an externship, gain summer work experience, connect with employers at Career Fairs, and learn the prospects of employment in their particular field of study. 

Notable Alumni of Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University has a strong alumni presence in the National Football League, some among them are serving as assistant coaches.

Some of the notable alumni from the EIU are as follows:

• Tony Romo, the lead football analyst for CBS Sports
• Sean Payton, head coach of the 2010 Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints
• Mike Shanahan, former head coach of the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins. He has also added two Super Bowl championships to his hat.
• Jimmy Garoppolo, a past member of two Super Bowl champion New England Patriots teams. 

Alumnus from other spheres

• Former Illinois Governor and Secretary of State - Jim Edgar 
• Actors Burl Ives, Jerry Van Dyke, John Malkovich and Joan Allen
• UFC Champion - Matt Hughes
• Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ted Gregory
• Former CNN sports anchor - Larry Smith 
• ESPN radio personality - John Jurkovic 
• Metropolitan Opera tenor - Matthew Polenzani
• Illinois and National Teacher of the Year Joe Fatheree
• Founder and chairman of Jimmy John - Jimmy John Liautaud
• Former professional athletes - Kevin Duckworth, Kevin Seitzer, Marty Pattin and Jeff Gossett

Eastern Illinois University: Address

Eastern Illinois University is situated at 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920, United States.

Type of University - Public or Private

Eastern Illinois University is a comprehensive public institution with a campus size of 320 acres. The university is located around 140 miles northeast of St. Louis and 180 miles south of Chicago. Besides a variety of courses to choose from, students can also enroll themselves in student governments, dozens of fraternities, and in more than 200 clubs. With several events like Miss Black EIU Scholarship Pageant during African American Heritage month and Family Weekend in the fall with a concert, there are many things students can relish on the campus. 

Rankings of Eastern Illinois University

According to the US News and World Report, Eastern Illinois University ranking was at 54 in the 2022 Edition of Best Colleges for the Regional Universities Midwest. The university also bagged the 23rd position as the best college for veterans, 48th on the best value schools, 52nd on Top Performers on Social Mobility and 12th in top public schools. As per the Times Higher Education ranking, EIU was ranked 351 on the World University Rankings. 

Top Courses offered by Eastern Illinois University 

While there are a host of degree programs available at EIU across various disciplines- business management, biological and biomedical sciences, social sciences, psychology some of the most popular majors are as follows:

• BS in Computer Science
• MSc in Sustainability
• MSc in Technology
• MSc in Cybersecurity
• MSc in Biochemistry and Biotechnology 
• MSc in Sports Administration
• MSc in Strategic Communication

The Eastern Illinois University fees for students seeking admission this fall 2022-2023 are listed below. The annual tuition fees differ for students from Illinois and border states and non-border states. 

Admission Requirements and Examinations to Secure Admission at Eastern Illinois University

EIU has become test-optional which means that Eastern Illinois University admission can be procured without appearing for the ACT or SAT test. Here are some of the criteria you need to fulfill to get admission at EIU. 

• Students with no test scores but 2.8 GPA will be eligible as per the Eastern Illinois University requirements.
• Students who wish to submit their standardized test scores need to score a minimum 2.5 GPA and 18 ACT or 960 SAT. 

Admission Standards for Freshmen

There are two options available for freshmen - either to submit or not to submit their standardized test scores. However, the Eastern Illinois University requirements in both cases will differ. 

Option 1 - The minimum criteria for adhering to EIU’s guaranteed admission criteria if not submitting the standardized test scores

• Minimum of 2.8 GPA on a scale of 4.0
• Successfully completed all the college preparatory work
• Students between 2.5 to 2.79 (on a scale of 4.0) can get admission if the EIU’s Office of Admissions deems the student fit upon reviewing the application.

Option 2 - Students who want to submit their standardized test scores

• High school GPA of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0
• SAT score - 960, ACT score - 18

Available Scholarships in Eastern Illinois University 

During the academic year of 2020-21, $22 million worth scholarships and awards were given to the students of Eastern Illinois University. Every year, many scholarships are made available to EIU students from January to March, with some opportunities in September and October. Some of the highlighted scholarships offered by the university are categorized based on incoming students. 

• For new freshmen
• For international students
• For transfers

There are a few additional awards such as Undergraduate International Excellence Award, Honors Transfer Scholarship and Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship. 

Placements Available for Students at Eastern Illinois University

The job fairs organized at EIU are major sources for students to get placed at the organizations which visit the campus. If you do not get placed, these job fairs also offer an excellent networking opportunity. This fair can be a  great opportunity to showcase your skills and talents in front of recruiters who visit the campus every semester to hire interns or to get an entry-level job opportunity. 

The workshops held by the career services department of EIU help students in self-development through continuous personal and professional learning. Students also become aware of their strengths and weaknesses, navigate various career opportunities and build relationships through networking with industry experts.