ISU vs. Austin Peay State University

Should I go to Illinois State University or Austin Peay State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ISU or Austin Peay State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Illinois State University vs. Austin Peay State University comparison
Illinois State University Austin Peay State University College 3 College 4
Illinois State University Austin Peay State University
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Overview

ISU Austin Peay State University
Location Normal, IL Clarksville, TN
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 20,683 9,326
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #493 #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website illinoisstate.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $11,840 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $23,681 $12,360
Room & Board $10,602 $12,274
Avg Net Price $20,551 $16,140
Avg Grant Aid $11,619 $10,232
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 96%

Admission

ISU Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,596 6,362
Admitted 16,899 5,969
Acceptance Rate 86.2% 93.8%
Enrolled % 23.6% 24.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 18/24
SAT Range 1000/1210 983/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025 Aug 4, 2025

Academics

ISU Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

ISU Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 71% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $232

Diversity

ISU Austin Peay State University
% Men 42% 40%
% Women 58% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 77% 63%
% Black 8% 20%
% Hispanic 9% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

ISU Austin Peay State University
% In-State 96% 88%
% Out-of-State 3% 11%

Campus

ISU Austin Peay State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Illinois State University is larger than than Austin Peay State University based on total student enrollment (20,683 students vs. 9,326 students)

ISU vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Austin Peay State University?

  • Illinois State University is 73.7% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($11,840.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 91.6% higher at ISU than Austin Peay State University ($23,681.00 vs. $12,360.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin Peay State University than ISU ($16,140 vs. $20,551)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 15.8% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($10,602 vs. $12,274)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Illinois State University than Austin Peay State University (97% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 13.6% larger than aid received Austin Peay State University ($11,619 vs. $10,232)

ISU vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Austin Peay State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Austin Peay State University or ISU .

  • The average SAT score at Illinois State University (1090) is 79 points higher than at Austin Peay State University (1011)
  • Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Austin Peay State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.8%) than ISU (86.2%)

ISU vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU or Austin Peay State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Austin Peay State University and ISU.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than Austin Peay State University (71% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn on average $11,600 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $37,400)
  • Illinois State University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Austin Peay State University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $22,500)
  • ISU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Austin Peay State University graduates. ($227 vs. $232)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University 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/