ISU vs. KY State

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than KY State based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 2,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Kentucky State University is in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kentucky State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Kentucky State University 10:1.

ISU vs. KY State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or KY State? 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 Kentucky State University than ISU ($9,397 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 26.1% lower than at Illinois State University ($8,686 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 72% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $6,757 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.5% higher at ISU than at Kentucky State University (about $14,552 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Kentucky State University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 25.5% larger than aid received by Kentucky State University students ($12,974 vs. $10,340).

ISU vs. KY State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or KY State? 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 KY State and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 180 points higher than at KY State (920).
• Incoming ISU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 17 at KY State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Kentucky State University 820/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Kentucky State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; KY State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than ISU (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 27% at KY State.

ISU vs. KY State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and KY State? 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 Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($22,000 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($227 vs. $299).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 24%)

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.