ISU vs. KSU

Deciding between Illinois State University and Kennesaw State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Illinois State University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • ISU Normal, IL
  • KSU Kennesaw, GA
  • Setting
  • ISU Small City
  • KSU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • ISU 21,546
  • KSU 47,764
  • Type
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • KSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • ISU #502
  • KSU
  • Religious Affiliation
  • ISU -
  • KSU -
  • Status
  • ISU Non-profit
  • KSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • ISU
  • KSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • ISU $16,144
  • KSU $5,808
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • ISU $28,210
  • KSU $17,736
  • Room & Board
  • ISU $11,754
  • KSU $13,287
  • Average Net Price
  • ISU $21,369
  • KSU $15,636
  • Average Grant Aid
  • ISU $12,974
  • KSU $8,223
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • ISU 96%
  • KSU 92%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • ISU 21,573
  • KSU 34,680
  • Admitted
  • ISU 19,017
  • KSU 23,995
  • Acceptance Rate
  • ISU 88.2%
  • KSU 69.2%
  • Enrolled
  • ISU 22.5%
  • KSU 38%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ISU 1100
  • KSU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • ISU 24
  • KSU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • ISU 3.41
  • KSU 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • ISU B+
  • KSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • ISU Moderate
  • KSU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • ISU
  • KSU Low
  • ACT Range
  • ISU 21/27
  • KSU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • ISU 990/1210
  • KSU 1000/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • ISU Test optional
  • KSU Required
  • Application Deadline
  • ISU Apr 1, 2027
  • KSU Jun 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • ISU 19:1
  • KSU 23:1
  • Popular Majors
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (18%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • KSU

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • ISU 71%
  • KSU -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • ISU $49,000
  • KSU N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • ISU 74%
  • KSU 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • ISU $22,000
  • KSU $21,200
  • Median Loan Payment
  • ISU $227
  • KSU $219

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • ISU 42%
  • KSU 49%
  • % Women
  • ISU 58%
  • KSU 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • ISU Low
  • KSU High
  • HBCU
  • ISU No
  • KSU No
  • % White
  • ISU 77%
  • KSU 58%
  • % Asian
  • ISU 2%
  • KSU 4%
  • % Black
  • ISU 8%
  • KSU 20%
  • % Hispanic
  • ISU 9%
  • KSU 9%
  • % Native American
  • ISU 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • ISU 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • ISU 3%
  • KSU 4%
  • % International
  • ISU 0%
  • KSU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • ISU 0%
  • KSU 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • ISU 96%
  • KSU 96%
  • % Out-of-State
  • ISU 3%
  • KSU 1%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • ISU Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • ISU No
  • KSU
  • Meal Plan
  • ISU Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • ISU No
  • KSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • ISU Yes
  • KSU

Comparable Facts

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

Kennesaw State University is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 21,546 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Kennesaw State University is in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kennesaw State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Kennesaw State University 23:1.

ISU vs. KSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or KSU? 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 Kennesaw State University than ISU ($15,636 vs. $21,369).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 11.5% lower than at Kennesaw State University ($11,754 vs. $13,287).
  • Illinois State University is 178% more expensive for in-state tuition than KSU (about $10,336 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $5,808.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 59.1% higher at ISU than at Kennesaw State University (about $10,474 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $17,736.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Kennesaw State University (96% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 57.8% larger than aid received by Kennesaw State University students ($12,974 vs. $8,223).

ISU vs. KSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or KSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between KSU and ISU.

  • The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Kennesaw State University (1110) is 10 points higher than at ISU (1100).
  • Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 22 at KSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Illinois State University 990/1210; Kennesaw State University 1000/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Illinois State University 21/27; Kennesaw State University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; KSU - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; KSU Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman ISU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at KSU (3.33).
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than KSU (69.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 38% at KSU.

ISU vs. KSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and KSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

  • Illinois State University's six-year graduation rate is 71%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for KSU.
  • Graduates from Illinois State University have median earnings of about $49,000 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for KSU.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kennesaw State University graduates have a $800 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,200 vs. $22,000).
  • Among borrowers, KSU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($219 vs. $227).
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 53%)

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.