ECC vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare Elgin Community College in Elgin, 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 ECC based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 10,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elgin Community College is located in Elgin, IL (Midsize City setting); Illinois State University is in Normal, IL (Small City setting).
• Elgin Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elgin Community College 21:1; Illinois State University 19:1.

ECC vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECC 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 Elgin Community College than ISU ($5,020 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elgin Community College are 24.9% lower than at Illinois State University ($8,829 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 126.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECC (about $9,004 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $7,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 196.4% higher at ISU than at Elgin Community College (about $18,694 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $9,516.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Elgin Community College (96% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 150.6% larger than aid received by Elgin Community College students ($12,974 vs. $5,178).

ECC vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECC or ISU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ISU and ECC.

• Elgin Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsIllinois State University 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsIllinois State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECC - Open admission; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.

ECC vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECC and ISU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than ECC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $35,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elgin Community College graduates have a $16,607 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($5,393 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, ECC graduates have an estimated $172 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($55 vs. $227).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 44%)

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.