ISU vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

ISU vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College ($21,369 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 17.6% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($11,754 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 229.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $37,086 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.7% higher at St. Mary's College than at Illinois State University (about $25,020 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 198.7% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($38,748 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 130 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

ISU vs. St. Mary's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and St. Mary's 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Illinois State University's (71%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.