ISU vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Stephens College 8:1.

ISU vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Stephens 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 Stephens College ($21,369 vs. $23,194).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 12.1% lower than at Stephens College ($11,754 vs. $13,366).
• Stephens College is 75.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $12,156 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Stephens College than at Illinois State University (about $90 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 79.9% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($23,341 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Stephens 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 Stephens College and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 100 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

ISU vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Stephens 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).

• Illinois State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College 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.