ISU vs. Capital University

Should I go to Illinois State University or Capital University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ISU or Capital 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Northern Illinois Illinois UIC DePaul EIU IWU Western Illinois University WMU Bradley Southern Illinois University IIT ISU
Illinois State University vs. Capital University comparison
Illinois State University Capital University College 3 College 4
Illinois State University Capital University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

ISU Capital University
Location Normal, IL Columbus, OH
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 20,683 2,617
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #493 #543
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website illinoisstate.edu capital.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU Capital University
Tuition (In State) $11,840 $39,900
Tuition (Out of State) $23,681 $39,900
Room & Board $10,602 $12,308
Avg Net Price $20,551 $24,439
Avg Grant Aid $11,619 $28,469
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 98%

Admission

ISU Capital University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,596 4,370
Admitted 16,899 3,153
Acceptance Rate 86.2% 72.2%
Enrolled % 23.6% 16.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.63
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 18/24
SAT Range 1000/1210 960/1186
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025 May 1, 2025

Academics

ISU Capital University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

ISU Capital University
Graduation Rate 71% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $47,300
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $279

Diversity

ISU Capital University
% Men 42% 40%
% Women 58% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 75%
% Black 8% 10%
% Hispanic 9% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

ISU Capital University
% In-State 96% 94%
% Out-of-State 3% 4%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Illinois State University is larger than than Capital University based on total student enrollment (20,683 students vs. 2,617 students)

ISU vs. Capital University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Capital University?

  • Capital University is 237% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($39,900.00 vs. $11,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 68.5% higher at Capital University than Illinois State University ($39,900.00 vs. $23,681.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Illinois State University than Capital University ($20,551 vs. $24,439)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 16.1% lower than costs at Capital University ($10,602 vs. $12,308)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Capital University than Illinois State University (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Capital University students is 145% larger than aid received Illinois State University ($28,469 vs. $11,619)

ISU vs. Capital University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Capital University (1133) is 43 points higher than at ISU (1090)
  • Incoming Capital University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at ISU (24)
  • Accepted freshman Capital University 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 (86.2%) than Capital University (72.2%)

ISU vs. Capital University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU or Capital 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 Capital University and ISU.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than Capital University (71% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn on average $1,700 more per year than Capital University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $47,300)
  • Illinois State University students graduate with a $5,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Capital University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $27,000)
  • ISU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Capital University graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Capital University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/