ISU vs. North Central College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); North Central College is in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; North Central College 12:1.

ISU vs. North Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or North Central 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 Illinois State University than North Central College ($21,369 vs. $23,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 20% lower than at North Central College ($11,754 vs. $14,688).
• North Central College is 183.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $29,582 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.1% higher at North Central College than at Illinois State University (about $17,516 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Central College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 162.5% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($34,056 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. North Central College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Central College (1180) is 80 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming North Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; North Central College 1055/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; North Central College 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; North Central College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman North Central College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than North Central College (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 13.6% at North Central College.

ISU vs. North Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and North Central 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 North Central College's (64%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $100 more per year than North Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than North Central College graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Central College graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 74%)

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.