<p>ISU is actually the second-most selective of the 12 public universities in Illinois, based on ACT scores (22-26), marginally better than UI Chicago (21-26). (But those are very different schools, serving very different populations, with very different missions, so it’s not realistic to really compare them.) Together they form a “second tier” of state schools in Illinois, clearly behind UIUC and clearly ahead of the five rural directionals and UI Springfield, all of which have the 25th percentile ACT in the 19/20 range - although each of those schools has areas in which it excels. CSU and Northeastern Illinois, the two in-city publics, clearly bring up the rear - although as you said, they do perform a useful service to the populations they serve. (The 12th public, Governors State, is an upper division only school.)</p>