ISU vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Oakland based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 15,768 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Oakland University 17:1.

ISU vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Oakland? 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 Oakland University than ISU ($12,208 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 7% lower than at Illinois State University ($10,932 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakland (about $882 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $15,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at ISU than at Oakland University (about $5,022 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Oakland University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($12,988 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• 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; Oakland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oakland students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Oakland (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

ISU vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Oakland? 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 Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Oakland graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakland graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 51%)

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.