Eastern Illinois University College Portrait
Eastern Illinois University600 Lincoln Avenue Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 581-2223
Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University is a comprehensive institution, fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. The university is located on 320 beautifully landscaped acres in Charleston, Ill. Eastern provides the total education experience, while maintaining those personal relationships that its students expect and value. Offering baccalaureate and master’s degrees, Eastern enrolls over 11,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Small class sizes allow close individual attention and guidance by faculty known for their excellence in teaching, research, creative activity and service. During its 115-year history, Eastern has enriched the lives of generations of students and established a lasting reputation for excellence. The university’s reputation reflects its mission to provide superior, yet accessible undergraduate and graduate education in the arts, sciences, humanities and professions.
Living in the EIU Community
Eastern is committed to the development and growth of the whole student through a comprehensive network of high quality professional services and programs which facilitate formal, informal, and collaborative learning. We strive to create a healthy and responsive community in which students learn to work together, develop relationships, broaden concerns for the welfare of others, and appreciate individual differences. Students are encouraged to balance their freedom with their responsibilities as they cultivate values of diversity, leadership and citizenship.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2011?
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| Total Students | 11,178 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 9,657 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 5,698 | 59% |
| Men | 3,959 | 41% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 31 | <1% |
| Asian | 75 | 1% |
| African American / Black | 1,398 | 14% |
| Hispanic | 361 | 4% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 5 | <1% |
| White | 7,166 | 74% |
| Two or More Races | 104 | 1% |
| International | 56 | 1% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 461 | 5% |
| Where do EIU undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Illinois | 99% |
| Other US States & Territories | 1% |
| Other Countries | <1% |
| How old are EIU undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 22 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 14% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2011)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT |
|---|---|
| Composite | 19 - 23 |
| Math | 17 - 24 |
| English | 19 - 24 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 30% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 66% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 83% | |
| Average High School GPA Data Not Available | ||
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2011-12 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $22,128.00
Out-of-State & Other Costs
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The cost to attend Eastern Illinois University varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 40% of 2011-12 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $3,817.00. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 58% of 2011-12 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $3,832.00. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2009 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
EIU Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 15 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 73% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 97% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 599 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 46% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 13% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 72% |
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Campus-based Housing
97% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
49% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
Eastern Illinois University is concerned about the safety and welfare of all campus members and guests. Because no community, including a campus community, is free from all crime, Eastern Illinois University has developed policies and procedures that are designed to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect persons and property on campus. The Eastern Illinois University Police Department, located at the corner of 7th and Grant, provides service and protection to the campus community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily residential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Balanced arts & sciences/professions, some graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Postbaccalaureate comprehensive
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
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Student Activities and Involvement at EIU
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 92% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 53% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 25% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 82% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 16% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 56% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 65% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 13% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 96% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 97% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 79% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 72% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 95% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 66% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 86% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 99% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 70% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 65% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 87% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 45% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 90% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 93% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 84% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at Eastern Illinois University in 2010-11 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 2,257 |
| Master's | 579 |
| Total | 2,836 |
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| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2010-11 | |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 11% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 9% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 7% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | 7% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | 6% |
| Links to degree programs at Eastern Illinois University |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster's |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 95% four-year success and progress rate means that 95% of students starting in Fall 2005 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
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Counts for the Fall 2005 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 1,645 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 947 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2010 that returned for their second year: 79%
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Student Learning at Eastern Illinois University
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Because EIU is committed to excellence in teaching and learning, it has a long history in formalized assessment that allows it to demonstrate strengths, identify concerns, enhance academic programs and, most importantly, improve student learning. In support of this commitment, EIU has established four university-wide goals for student learning. EIU graduates must demonstrate the ability to: 1. Write effectively; 2. Speak effectively; 3. Think critically; 4. Function as responsible global citizens As part of the VSA project, Eastern will participate in the pilot project to measure core learning outcomes based on these goals. The results of that assessment will be posted below once they are available. In the meantime, note these highlights from our 2004-07 Undergraduate Student Surveys (N=7366): 90% indicated that the courses they took at EIU challenged them to do their best work. 91% indicated that money spent on their education at EIU was a good investment. 93% indicated that their overall experience at EIU has been positive. 90% indicated that they would recommend EIU to others.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
This university is in the process of collecting and analyzing learning outcomes test results.