ISU vs. Olivet Nazarene University

Should I go to Illinois State University or Olivet Nazarene University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ISU or Olivet Nazarene 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. Olivet Nazarene University comparison
Illinois State University Olivet Nazarene University College 3 College 4
Illinois State University Olivet Nazarene University
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Overview

ISU Olivet Nazarene University
Location Normal, IL Bourbonnais, IL
Setting Small City Small Suburban
Enrollment 20,989 3,275
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #501 #499
Religious Affiliation - Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website illinoisstate.edu olivet.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU Olivet Nazarene University
Tuition (In State) $12,066 $36,950
Tuition (Out of State) $24,131 $36,950
Room & Board $11,584 $10,590
Avg Net Price $20,871 $22,707
Avg Grant Aid $11,590 $27,899
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

ISU Olivet Nazarene University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,884 4,426
Admitted 18,589 2,961
Acceptance Rate 89% 66.9%
Enrolled % 22.3% 21.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.38
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/27 18/28
SAT Range 1010/1230 960/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2026

Academics

ISU Olivet Nazarene University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (4%)

Outcomes

ISU Olivet Nazarene University
Graduation Rate 71% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $258

Diversity

ISU Olivet Nazarene University
% Men 4% 6%
% Women 8% 15%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 79%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 9% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

ISU Olivet Nazarene University
% In-State 96% 58%
% Out-of-State 3% 38%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Illinois State University is larger than than Olivet Nazarene University based on total student enrollment (20,989 students vs. 3,275 students)

ISU vs. Olivet Nazarene University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Olivet Nazarene University?

  • Olivet Nazarene University is 206.2% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($36,950.00 vs. $12,066.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.1% higher at Olivet Nazarene University than Illinois State University ($36,950.00 vs. $24,131.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Illinois State University than Olivet Nazarene University ($20,871 vs. $22,707)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Olivet Nazarene University are 9.4% lower than costs at Illinois State University ($10,590 vs. $11,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Olivet Nazarene University than Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Olivet Nazarene University students is 140.7% larger than aid received Illinois State University ($27,899 vs. $11,590)

ISU vs. Olivet Nazarene University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Illinois State University (1090) is 12 points higher than at Olivet Nazarene University (1078)
  • Incoming ISU students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at Olivet Nazarene University (24)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Olivet Nazarene University (3.38)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Olivet Nazarene University (66.9%)

ISU vs. Olivet Nazarene University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU or Olivet Nazarene 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 Olivet Nazarene University and ISU.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than Olivet Nazarene University (71% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn on average $6,400 more per year than Olivet Nazarene University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $42,600)
  • Illinois State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Olivet Nazarene University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $25,000)
  • ISU graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Olivet Nazarene University graduates. ($227 vs. $258)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Olivet Nazarene University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 66%)

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