ISU vs. IU South Bend

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than IU South Bend based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 4,631 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ISU vs. IU South Bend Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or IU South Bend? 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 South Bend than ISU ($9,003 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 13.4% lower than at Illinois State University ($10,184 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 91.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU South Bend (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 South Bend (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 South Bend (96% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 55% larger than aid received by Indiana University South Bend students ($12,974 vs. $8,371).

ISU vs. IU South Bend Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 30 points higher than at IU South Bend (1070).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at IU South Bend).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Indiana University South Bend 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Indiana University South Bend 21/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; IU South Bend - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at IU South Bend (3.24).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than IU South Bend (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 39% at IU South Bend.

ISU vs. IU South Bend Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and IU South Bend? 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 South Bend's (22%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than IU South Bend graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $2,530 lower median loan debt than IU South Bend graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,530).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU South Bend graduates ($227 vs. $253).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 47%)

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.