ISU vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ISU vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Ripon 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 Ripon College ($21,369 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 8.1% lower than at Illinois State University ($10,800 vs. $11,754).
• Ripon College is 221.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $35,756 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84% higher at Ripon College than at Illinois State University (about $23,690 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ripon College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 206.1% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($39,716 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ripon College (1130) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Ripon College (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have the same average high school GPA (3.41) as students at Ripon College (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Ripon College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

ISU vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Ripon 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 Ripon College's (70%).
• Graduates from Ripon College earn a median of about $200 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($22,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($227 vs. $289).
• More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.