CSU vs. ISU

Deciding between Chicago State University and Illinois State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Chicago State University
Illinois State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • CSU Chicago, IL
  • ISU Normal, IL
  • Setting
  • CSU Large City
  • ISU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 2,238
  • ISU 21,546
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CSU #814
  • ISU #502
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CSU -
  • ISU -
  • Status
  • CSU Non-profit
  • ISU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CSU
  • ISU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CSU $12,754
  • ISU $16,144
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CSU $12,754
  • ISU $28,210
  • Room & Board
  • CSU $11,550
  • ISU $11,754
  • Average Net Price
  • CSU $10,441
  • ISU $21,369
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CSU $18,194
  • ISU $12,974
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CSU 99%
  • ISU 96%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CSU 10,638
  • ISU 21,573
  • Admitted
  • CSU 4,602
  • ISU 19,017
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CSU 43.3%
  • ISU 88.2%
  • Enrolled
  • CSU 3.8%
  • ISU 22.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 860
  • ISU 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 17
  • ISU 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • CSU 3.18
  • ISU 3.41
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CSU B+
  • ISU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • CSU Extremely Easy
  • ISU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • CSU Low
  • ISU
  • ACT Range
  • CSU 15/19
  • ISU 21/27
  • SAT Range
  • CSU 750/963
  • ISU 990/1210
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • ISU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CSU
  • ISU Apr 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CSU 9:1
  • ISU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Education (7%)
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (18%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CSU 21%
  • ISU 71%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CSU $38,300
  • ISU $49,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CSU 25%
  • ISU 74%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CSU $31,250
  • ISU $22,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CSU $323
  • ISU $227

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CSU 30%
  • ISU 42%
  • % Women
  • CSU 70%
  • ISU 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CSU Very Low
  • ISU Low
  • HBCU
  • CSU No
  • ISU No
  • % White
  • CSU 3%
  • ISU 77%
  • % Asian
  • CSU 1%
  • ISU 2%
  • % Black
  • CSU 75%
  • ISU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • CSU 8%
  • ISU 9%
  • % Native American
  • CSU 0%
  • ISU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CSU 0%
  • ISU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CSU 0%
  • ISU 3%
  • % International
  • CSU 2%
  • ISU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CSU 12%
  • ISU 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CSU 70%
  • ISU 96%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CSU 28%
  • ISU 3%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • CSU Yes
  • ISU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • CSU No
  • ISU No
  • Meal Plan
  • CSU Yes
  • ISU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • CSU Yes
  • ISU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • CSU Yes
  • ISU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Illinois State University in Normal, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 2,238 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Illinois State University is in Normal, IL (Small City setting).
  • Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Illinois State University 19:1.

CSU vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or ISU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than ISU ($10,441 vs. $21,369).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 1.7% lower than at Illinois State University ($11,550 vs. $11,754).
  • Illinois State University is 26.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $3,390 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $12,754.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 121.2% higher at ISU than at Chicago State University (about $15,456 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $12,754.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Illinois State University (99% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 40.2% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($18,194 vs. $12,974).

CSU vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or ISU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ISU and CSU.

  • The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 240 points higher than at CSU (860).
  • Incoming ISU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 17 at CSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Chicago State University 750/963; Illinois State University 990/1210.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Chicago State University 15/19; Illinois State University 21/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; ISU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman ISU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at CSU (3.18).
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than CSU (43.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 22.5% at ISU.

CSU vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and ISU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

  • Illinois State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($22,000 vs. $31,250).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($227 vs. $323).
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.