ISU vs. Rockford University

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

ISU Rockford University
Location Normal, IL Rockford, IL
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 20,683 1,181
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #493 #810
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website illinoisstate.edu rockford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU Rockford University
Tuition (In State) $11,840 $34,750
Tuition (Out of State) $23,681 $34,750
Room & Board $10,602 $10,410
Avg Net Price $20,551 $25,047
Avg Grant Aid $11,619 $21,056
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 95%

Admission

ISU Rockford University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,596 2,779
Admitted 16,899 1,526
Acceptance Rate 86.2% 54.9%
Enrolled % 23.6% 11%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.25
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 12/20
SAT Range 1000/1210 840/1086
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, 2025

Academics

ISU Rockford University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (27%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

ISU Rockford University
Graduation Rate 71% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $258

Diversity

ISU Rockford University
% Men 42% 45%
% Women 58% 55%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 77% 67%
% Black 8% 9%
% Hispanic 9% 14%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

ISU Rockford University
% In-State 96% 70%
% Out-of-State 3% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Illinois State University is larger than than Rockford University based on total student enrollment (20,683 students vs. 1,181 students)

ISU vs. Rockford University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Rockford University?

  • Rockford University is 193.5% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($34,750.00 vs. $11,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.7% higher at Rockford University than Illinois State University ($34,750.00 vs. $23,681.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Illinois State University than Rockford University ($20,551 vs. $25,047)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rockford University are 1.8% lower than costs at Illinois State University ($10,410 vs. $10,602)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Illinois State University than Rockford University (97% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rockford University students is 81.2% larger than aid received Illinois State University ($21,056 vs. $11,619)

ISU vs. Rockford University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Illinois State University (1090) is 83 points higher than at Rockford University (1007)
  • Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Rockford University (22)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Rockford University (3.25)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Rockford University (54.9%)

ISU vs. Rockford University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU or Rockford 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 Rockford University and ISU.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than Rockford University (71% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn on average $4,400 more per year than Rockford University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $44,600)
  • Illinois State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Rockford University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $25,000)
  • ISU graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Rockford University graduates. ($227 vs. $258)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rockford University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 60%)

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