ISU vs. Saginaw Valley State University

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

ISU Saginaw Valley State University
Location Normal, IL University Center, MI
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 20,683 7,147
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #493 #905
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website illinoisstate.edu svsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU Saginaw Valley State University
Tuition (In State) $11,840 $11,565
Tuition (Out of State) $23,681 $27,164
Room & Board $10,602 $11,400
Avg Net Price $20,551 $12,432
Avg Grant Aid $11,619 $10,663
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

ISU Saginaw Valley State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,596 9,330
Admitted 16,899 7,125
Acceptance Rate 86.2% 76.4%
Enrolled % 23.6% 18.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.48
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 20/25
SAT Range 1000/1210 970/1180
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 Saginaw Valley State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

ISU Saginaw Valley State University
Graduation Rate 71% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $41,000
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $279

Diversity

ISU Saginaw Valley State University
% Men 42% 34%
% Women 58% 66%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 71%
% Black 8% 9%
% Hispanic 9% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 8%
% Unknown Race 0% 6%

Students

ISU Saginaw Valley State University
% In-State 96% 98%
% Out-of-State 3% 2%

Campus

ISU Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (20,683 students vs. 7,147 students)

ISU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Saginaw Valley State University?

  • Illinois State University is 2.4% more expensive to attend than Saginaw Valley State University for in-state tuition ($11,840.00 vs. $11,565.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.7% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than Illinois State University ($27,164.00 vs. $23,681.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saginaw Valley State University than ISU ($12,432 vs. $20,551)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 7.5% lower than costs at Saginaw Valley State University ($10,602 vs. $11,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than Illinois State University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 9% larger than aid received Saginaw Valley State University ($11,619 vs. $10,663)

ISU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Illinois State University (1090) is 60 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1030)
  • Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at ISU (3.41)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Saginaw Valley State University (76.4%)

ISU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University and ISU.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than Saginaw Valley State University (71% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn on average $8,000 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $41,000)
  • Illinois State University students graduate with a $5,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $27,000)
  • ISU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 48%)

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