Illinois College vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, 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 Illinois College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); Illinois State University is in Normal, IL (Small City setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; Illinois State University 19:1.

Illinois College vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College 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 College than ISU ($17,375 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 2.3% lower than at Illinois College ($11,754 vs. $12,026).
• Illinois College is 139.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $22,532 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.1% higher at Illinois College than at Illinois State University (about $10,466 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 143.6% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($31,609 vs. $12,974).

Illinois College vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois College 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 Illinois College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 70 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Illinois College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Illinois State University 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Illinois State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Illinois College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 22.5% at ISU.

Illinois College vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College 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).

• Illinois State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Illinois College's (57%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Illinois College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 74%)

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.