ISU vs. Texas State

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Texas State University in San Marcos, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas State University is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 21,546 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Texas State University is in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Texas State University 21:1.

ISU vs. Texas State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Texas State? 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 Texas State University than ISU ($15,716 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 6.9% lower than at Texas State University ($11,754 vs. $12,630).
• Illinois State University is 41% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas State (about $4,694 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23% higher at ISU than at Texas State University (about $5,280 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $22,930.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Texas State University (96% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Texas State University students ($12,974 vs. $12,556).

ISU vs. Texas State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 10 points higher than at Texas State (1090).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Texas State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Texas State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• Texas State has a higher acceptance rate (89.3%) than ISU (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 26.9% at Texas State.

ISU vs. Texas State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Texas State? 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 Texas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from Texas State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,250 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($219 vs. $227).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 55%)

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.