ICC vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Central College in East Peoria, 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 ICC based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 7,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Central College is located in East Peoria, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Illinois State University is in Normal, IL (Small City setting).
• Illinois Central College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Central College 17:1; Illinois State University 19:1.

ICC vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ICC 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 Illinois Central College than ISU ($12,570 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 23.2% lower than at Illinois Central College ($11,754 vs. $15,300).
• Illinois State University is 57.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ICC (about $5,914 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $10,230.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.2% higher at ISU than at Illinois Central College (about $16,060 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $12,150.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Illinois Central College (96% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 108.9% larger than aid received by Illinois Central College students ($12,974 vs. $6,212).

ICC vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ICC 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 ICC.

• Illinois Central 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: ICC - Open admission; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ICC Aug 22, 2027; ISU Apr 1, 2027.

ICC vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ICC 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 $15,300 more per year than ICC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois Central College graduates have a $15,500 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($6,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, ICC graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($67 vs. $227).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ICC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 40%)

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.