ISU vs. Southwest Baptist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Southwest Baptist University based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 2,199 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Southwest Baptist University is in Bolivar, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Southwest Baptist University 10:1.

ISU vs. Southwest Baptist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Southwest Baptist University? 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 Southwest Baptist University than ISU ($21,336 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Baptist University are 16.8% lower than at Illinois State University ($9,776 vs. $11,754).
• Southwest Baptist University is 89.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $14,422 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Southwest Baptist University than at Illinois State University (about $2,356 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Baptist University than at Illinois State University (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Baptist University students is 46.8% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($19,043 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Southwest Baptist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Southwest Baptist University? 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 Southwest Baptist University and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 90 points higher than at Southwest Baptist University (1010).
• Incoming ISU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Southwest Baptist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Southwest Baptist University 810/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Southwest Baptist University 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Southwest Baptist University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southwest Baptist University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Southwest Baptist University (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 34.3% at Southwest Baptist University.

ISU vs. Southwest Baptist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Southwest Baptist University? 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 Southwest Baptist University's (48%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Southwest Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Baptist University graduates have a $913 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,087 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Baptist University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($218 vs. $227).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 63%)

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.