ISU vs. Baker College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than Baker College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 3,955 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Baker College is in Owosso, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Baker College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Baker College 9:1.

ISU vs. Baker College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Baker 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 Baker College than ISU ($13,616 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Baker College are 35.3% lower than at Illinois State University ($7,600 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 24.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Baker College (about $3,144 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $13,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117% higher at ISU than at Baker College (about $15,210 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $13,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Baker College (96% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 23.4% larger than aid received by Baker College students ($12,974 vs. $10,514).

ISU vs. Baker College Admissions comparison

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

• Baker College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 40 points higher than at Baker College (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Baker College 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Baker College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; Baker College Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Baker College (3.2).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Baker College (81.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 43.5% at Baker College.

ISU vs. Baker College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Baker 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 Baker College's (17%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than Baker College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $1,971 lower median loan debt than Baker College graduates ($22,000 vs. $23,971).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Baker College graduates ($227 vs. $247).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Baker College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 31%)

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.