ISU vs. Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Northwest based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 9,152 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Northwest Missouri State University is in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Northwest Missouri State University 16:1.

ISU vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Northwest? 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 Northwest Missouri State University than ISU ($16,790 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 4.3% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($11,754 vs. $12,282).
• Illinois State University is 52.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest (about $5,533 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $10,611.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.8% higher at ISU than at Northwest Missouri State University (about $10,886 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Northwest Missouri State University (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 42.6% larger than aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students ($12,974 vs. $9,101).

ISU vs. Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 20 points higher than at Northwest (1080).
• Incoming ISU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Northwest Missouri State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwest students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Northwest (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 22.2% at Northwest.

ISU vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Northwest? 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 Northwest Missouri State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 63%)

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.