ISU vs. IU East

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than IU East based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 3,203 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Indiana University East is in Richmond, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University East is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Indiana University East 15:1.

ISU vs. IU East Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or IU East? 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 Indiana University East than ISU ($8,718 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University East are 6.7% lower than at Illinois State University ($10,972 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 91.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU East (about $7,720 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.7% higher at ISU than at Indiana University East (about $5,399 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Indiana University East (96% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 60.3% larger than aid received by Indiana University East students ($12,974 vs. $8,096).

ISU vs. IU East Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 30 points higher than at IU East (1070).
• Incoming ISU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at IU East).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Indiana University East 960/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Indiana University East 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; IU East - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; IU East Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have the same average high school GPA (3.41) as students at IU East (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than IU East (67.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 29.2% at IU East.

ISU vs. IU East Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and IU East? 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 Indiana University East's (19%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than IU East graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $32,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University East graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, IU East graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($211 vs. $227).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU East students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 40%)

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.