ISU vs. Hanover College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than Hanover College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 1,243 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Hanover College is in Hanover, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hanover College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Hanover College 11:1.

ISU vs. Hanover College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Hanover 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 Illinois State University than Hanover College ($21,369 vs. $23,683).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 16.8% lower than at Hanover College ($11,754 vs. $14,123).
• Hanover College is 176.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $28,494 more per year; $44,638.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.2% higher at Hanover College than at Illinois State University (about $16,428 more per year; $44,638.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hanover College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hanover College students is 171.8% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($35,263 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Hanover College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hanover College (1200) is 100 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming Hanover College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Hanover College 1110/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Hanover College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Hanover College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hanover College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Hanover College (83.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 14.4% at Hanover College.

ISU vs. Hanover College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Hanover 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).

• The graduation rate at ISU is the same as at Hanover College (71% vs. 71%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Hanover College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Hanover College graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hanover College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hanover College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)

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.