ISU vs. Adrian College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than Adrian College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 1,765 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Adrian College is in Adrian, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Adrian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Adrian College 16:1.

ISU vs. Adrian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Adrian College? 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 State University than Adrian College ($21,369 vs. $25,922).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 42% lower than at Adrian College ($11,754 vs. $20,260).
• Adrian College is 158.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $25,540 more per year; $41,684.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.8% higher at Adrian College than at Illinois State University (about $13,474 more per year; $41,684.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Adrian College than at Illinois State University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Adrian College students is 131% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($29,966 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Adrian College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 90 points higher than at Adrian College (1010).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Adrian College (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Adrian College 873/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Adrian College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Adrian College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; Adrian College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Adrian College (3.2).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Adrian College (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 26.3% at Adrian College.

ISU vs. Adrian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Adrian College? 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 Adrian College's (49%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Adrian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Adrian College graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Adrian College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Adrian College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 63%)

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.