ISU vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than Purdue Northwest based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 9,051 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ISU vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Purdue 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 Purdue University Northwest than ISU ($7,916 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 24.2% lower than at Illinois State University ($8,907 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 86.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $7,469 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.3% higher at ISU than at Purdue University Northwest (about $12,116 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Purdue University Northwest (96% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 85.6% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($12,974 vs. $6,992).

ISU vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 80 points higher than at Purdue Northwest (1020).
• Incoming ISU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

ISU vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Purdue 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).

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.