Education
Did You Know?
Bloomington-Normal is home to several top-notch institutes of higher education, including Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Heartland Community College.
Founded in 1857, ISU was the first public university in Illinois. With a 2022 enrollment of 20,223 and faculty and staff numbering 3,761, ISU has six colleges and 35 academic departments offering more than 160 fields of study.
A private university founded in 1850, IWU has a 2022 student enrollment of 1,653 undergraduates. Recognized as one of the nation’s premier private residential liberal arts universities, IWU offers 80 majors, minors and programs and programs with 193 faculty members.
HCC was established in 1990 and classes were first offered in the fall of 1991. Since then, enrollment has grown to over 4,697 credit students and 5,542 non-credit students. HCC offers 16 associate and transfer degrees and 31 certificates.
Public or private; parochial or lab; preschool through college - Bloomington-Normal is the most educated metro area in Illinois and one of the most educated in the U.S.
Of all metro area residents 25 and older, 95.1% have a high school diploma and 44.0% have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree, the 9th and 15th highest shares of all U.S. metros respectively. With 10 private schools, 56 public schools, 2 universities, 1 community college and several vocational schools, McLean County has educational institutions that offer a wide variety of educational opportunities to offer the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.