ISU vs. Mount St. Joseph University

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Mount St. Joseph University based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 2,265 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Mount St. Joseph University is in Cincinnati, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount St. Joseph University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Mount St. Joseph University 12:1.

ISU vs. Mount St. Joseph University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Mount St. Joseph University? 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 Mount St. Joseph University than ISU ($17,094 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount St. Joseph University are 1.8% lower than at Illinois State University ($11,540 vs. $11,754).
• Mount St. Joseph University is 136.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $22,006 more per year; $38,150.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.2% higher at Mount St. Joseph University than at Illinois State University (about $9,940 more per year; $38,150.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Joseph University than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Joseph University students is 125.5% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($29,257 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Mount St. Joseph University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Mount St. Joseph University? 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 Mount St. Joseph University and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 60 points higher than at Mount St. Joseph University (1040).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Mount St. Joseph University (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Mount St. Joseph University 930/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Mount St. Joseph University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Mount St. Joseph University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount St. Joseph University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Mount St. Joseph University (59.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 24.6% at Mount St. Joseph University.

ISU vs. Mount St. Joseph University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Mount St. Joseph University? 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 Mount St. Joseph University's (59%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Mount St. Joseph University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Mount St. Joseph University graduates ($22,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount St. Joseph University graduates ($227 vs. $289).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount St. Joseph University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 59%)

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.