Charleston hasa population of 20,000 and lies eight miles east of interstate 57 on Illinois Route 16. Eastern's campus is located at the south edge of Charleston on 320beautiful acres of landscaped grounds and is home for more than 10,000 students of whichapproximately 2000 of those are graduate students. What is now Eastern Illinois University was established in 1895 asEastern Illinois State Normal School. During the next 63 years, the school's name changedthree additional times before attaining University status in 1957. Over sixty campus buildings display a variety of architectural styles.
All buildings are within easy walking distance and being made fully accessible.
Adjacentto the central campus lie a number of recreational fields, a campus pond, wooded tracts,and a jogging trail. The University's reputation reflects its mission to provide superior yetaccessible undergraduate and graduate education in the arts, sciences, humanities, andprofessions. Instruction is usually delivered to small classes allowing close individualattention and guidance by distinguished faculty from some of the finest institutions inhigher learning. Charleston, Illinois, is a safe, affordable, and friendly city. According to statistics published by state and federal law-enforcement agencies,Charleston and Coles County have very low crime rates.