Arkansas State University vs. ISU

Should I go to Arkansas State University Main Campus or Illinois State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arkansas State University or ISU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Arkansas State University Main Campus vs. Illinois State University comparison
Arkansas State University Main Campus Illinois State University College 3 College 4
Arkansas State University Main Campus Illinois State University
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Overview

Arkansas State University ISU
Location Jonesboro, AR Normal, IL
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 13,190 20,683
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #859 #493
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website astate.edu illinoisstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arkansas State University ISU
Tuition (In State) $6,888 $11,840
Tuition (Out of State) $12,744 $23,681
Room & Board $10,100 $10,602
Avg Net Price $12,011 $20,551
Avg Grant Aid $11,225 $11,619
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

Arkansas State University ISU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,045 19,596
Admitted 4,202 16,899
Acceptance Rate 69.5% 86.2%
Enrolled % 31.5% 23.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 21/27
SAT Range 980/1200 1000/1210
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

Arkansas State University ISU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Arkansas State University ISU
Graduation Rate 38% 71%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,000 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $22,000
Median Loan Payment $201 $227

Diversity

Arkansas State University ISU
% Men 35% 42%
% Women 65% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 77%
% Black 14% 8%
% Hispanic 2% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Arkansas State University ISU
% In-State 81% 96%
% Out-of-State 12% 3%

Campus

Arkansas State University ISU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Illinois State University is larger than than Arkansas State University based on total student enrollment (20,683 students vs. 13,190 students)

Arkansas State University vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or ISU?

  • Illinois State University is 71.9% more expensive to attend than Arkansas State University for in-state tuition ($11,840.00 vs. $6,888.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 85.8% higher at ISU than Arkansas State University Main Campus ($23,681.00 vs. $12,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University Main Campus than ISU ($12,011 vs. $20,551)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas State University Main Campus are 5% lower than costs at Illinois State University ($10,100 vs. $10,602)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas State University Main Campus than Illinois State University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 3.5% larger than aid received Arkansas State University Main Campus ($11,619 vs. $11,225)

Arkansas State University vs. ISU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or ISU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between ISU or Arkansas State University .

  • The average SAT score at Illinois State University (1090) is 2 points higher than at Arkansas State University (1088)
  • Incoming Arkansas State University students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at ISU (24)
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at ISU (3.41)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Arkansas State University (69.5%)

Arkansas State University vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arkansas State University or ISU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between ISU and Arkansas State University.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than Arkansas State University Main Campus (71% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn on average $13,000 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $36,000)
  • Arkansas State University Main Campus students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than ISU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $22,000)
  • Arkansas State University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than ISU graduates. ($201 vs. $227)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/