ISU vs. UWSP

Comparable Facts

Compare Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID with University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in Stevens Point, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than UWSP based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 8,233 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is in Stevens Point, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho State University 14:1; University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 21:1.

ISU vs. UWSP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or UWSP? 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 Idaho State University than UWSP ($12,174 vs. $14,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 10.4% lower than at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point ($7,882 vs. $8,800).
• University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $878 more per year; $9,488.00 vs. $8,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.8% higher at ISU than at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (about $9,212 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $18,508.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (91% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 83.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Stevens Point students ($9,217 vs. $5,014).

ISU vs. UWSP Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or UWSP? 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 UWSP and ISU.

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Stevens Point 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; UWSP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWSP Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at UWSP (3.27).

ISU vs. UWSP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and UWSP? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Stevens Point's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Idaho State University earn a median of about $600 more per year than UWSP graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Idaho State University graduates have a $1,410 lower median loan debt than UWSP graduates ($22,950 vs. $24,360).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWSP graduates ($237 vs. $251).
• More UWSP graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 47%)

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.