ISU vs. IU Southeast

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than IU Southeast based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 3,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Indiana University Southeast is in New Albany, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Southeast is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Indiana University Southeast 13:1.

ISU vs. IU Southeast Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or IU Southeast? 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 Southeast than ISU ($9,102 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 1.6% lower than at Indiana University Southeast ($11,754 vs. $11,940).
• Illinois State University is 91.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Southeast (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 Southeast (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 Southeast (96% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 76.6% larger than aid received by Indiana University Southeast students ($12,974 vs. $7,347).

ISU vs. IU Southeast Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 20 points higher than at IU Southeast (1080).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at IU Southeast).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Indiana University Southeast 970/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Indiana University Southeast 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; IU Southeast - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at IU Southeast (3.31).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than IU Southeast (84.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 39.7% at IU Southeast.

ISU vs. IU Southeast Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and IU Southeast? 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 Southeast's (27%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than IU Southeast graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Southeast graduates have a $1,739 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,261 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, IU Southeast graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($209 vs. $227).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Southeast 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.