ISU vs. McKendree University

Should I go to Illinois State University or McKendree University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ISU or McKendree University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Illinois State University vs. McKendree University comparison
Illinois State University McKendree University College 3 College 4
Illinois State University McKendree University
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Overview

ISU McKendree University
Location Normal, IL Lebanon, IL
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 20,683 1,960
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #493 #607
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website illinoisstate.edu mckendree.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU McKendree University
Tuition (In State) $11,840 $32,020
Tuition (Out of State) $23,681 $32,020
Room & Board $10,602 $11,590
Avg Net Price $20,551 $22,431
Avg Grant Aid $11,619 $24,145
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

ISU McKendree University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,596 2,332
Admitted 16,899 1,594
Acceptance Rate 86.2% 68.4%
Enrolled % 23.6% 26.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.38
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 18/28
SAT Range 1000/1210 871/1277
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

ISU McKendree University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (37%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (4%)

Outcomes

ISU McKendree University
Graduation Rate 71% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $227 $240

Diversity

ISU McKendree University
% Men 42% 46%
% Women 58% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 77% 68%
% Black 8% 14%
% Hispanic 9% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 7%

Students

ISU McKendree University
% In-State 96% 48%
% Out-of-State 3% 27%

Campus

ISU McKendree University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Illinois State University is larger than than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (20,683 students vs. 1,960 students)

ISU vs. McKendree University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or McKendree University?

  • McKendree University is 170.4% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($32,020.00 vs. $11,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.2% higher at McKendree University than Illinois State University ($32,020.00 vs. $23,681.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Illinois State University than McKendree University ($20,551 vs. $22,431)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 9.3% lower than costs at McKendree University ($10,602 vs. $11,590)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McKendree University than Illinois State University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McKendree University students is 107.8% larger than aid received Illinois State University ($24,145 vs. $11,619)

ISU vs. McKendree University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or McKendree University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between McKendree University or ISU .

  • The average SAT score at Illinois State University (1090) is 84 points higher than at McKendree University (1006)
  • Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at McKendree University (22)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at McKendree University (3.38)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than McKendree University (68.4%)

ISU vs. McKendree University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU or McKendree University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between McKendree University and ISU.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than McKendree University (71% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn on average $700 more per year than McKendree University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $48,300)
  • Illinois State University students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than McKendree University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $23,250)
  • ISU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than McKendree University graduates. ($227 vs. $240)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McKendree University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/