ISU vs. Kuyper College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Kuyper College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 161 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Kuyper College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kuyper College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Kuyper College 9:1.

ISU vs. Kuyper College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Kuyper College? 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 Kuyper College than ISU ($17,669 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kuyper College are 7.5% lower than at Illinois State University ($10,870 vs. $11,754).
• Kuyper College is 71.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $11,516 more per year; $27,660.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at ISU than at Kuyper College (about $550 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $27,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kuyper College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kuyper College students is 52.6% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($19,794 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Kuyper College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Kuyper College? 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 Kuyper College and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 50 points higher than at Kuyper College (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Kuyper College 935/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Kuyper College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Kuyper College (3.34).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Kuyper College (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 36.6% at Kuyper College.

ISU vs. Kuyper College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Kuyper College? 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 Kuyper College's (48%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $18,800 more per year than Kuyper College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Kuyper College graduates ($22,000 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kuyper College graduates ($227 vs. $245).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kuyper College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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.