ISU vs. Monmouth College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than Monmouth College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Monmouth College is in Monmouth, IL (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Monmouth College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Monmouth College 9:1.

ISU vs. Monmouth College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Monmouth 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 Monmouth College than ISU ($17,768 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 0.4% lower than at Monmouth College ($11,754 vs. $11,798).
• Monmouth College is 178.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $28,778 more per year; $44,922.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.2% higher at Monmouth College than at Illinois State University (about $16,712 more per year; $44,922.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Monmouth College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Monmouth College students is 203.1% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($39,324 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Monmouth College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Monmouth College (1110) is 10 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Monmouth College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Monmouth College 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Monmouth College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Monmouth College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Monmouth College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at ISU (3.41).
• Monmouth College has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than ISU (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 13.9% at Monmouth College.

ISU vs. Monmouth College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Monmouth 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 Monmouth College's (57%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Monmouth College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Monmouth College graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Monmouth College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Monmouth College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 70%)

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.