ISU vs. Dominican

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Dominican University in River Forest, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Dominican based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 3,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ISU vs. Dominican Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Dominican? 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 Dominican University than ISU ($13,402 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 7.6% lower than at Dominican University ($11,754 vs. $12,716).
• Dominican University is 141.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $22,834 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.2% higher at Dominican than at Illinois State University (about $10,768 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 137.1% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($30,756 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Dominican Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 110 points higher than at Dominican (990).
• Incoming ISU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Dominican).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Dominican University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Dominican University 16/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Dominican - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; Dominican Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at ISU (3.41).
• Dominican has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than ISU (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 12.1% at Dominican.

ISU vs. Dominican Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Dominican? 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 Dominican University's (63%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Dominican graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Dominican graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dominican graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dominican 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.