ISU vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

ISU vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University than ISU ($21,067 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 2.7% lower than at Illinois State University ($11,440 vs. $11,754).
• Spring Arbor University is 110.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $17,870 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.6% higher at SAU than at Illinois State University (about $5,804 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 84% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($23,877 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or SAU? 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 SAU and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 16.5% at SAU.

ISU vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $2,043 lower median loan debt than SAU graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,043).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SAU graduates ($227 vs. $248).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 58%)

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.