ISU vs. SBTS

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than SBTS based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 4,298 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is in Louisville, Kentucky (Large City setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 16:1.

ISU vs. SBTS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or SBTS? 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 The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary than ISU ($21,081 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary are 28% lower than at Illinois State University ($8,466 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 46.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SBTS (about $5,098 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $11,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.4% higher at ISU than at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (about $17,164 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $11,046.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (96% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 704.3% larger than aid received by The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary students ($12,974 vs. $1,613).

ISU vs. SBTS Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1120) is 20 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at SBTS).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; SBTS - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; SBTS Jul 15, 2027.
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than SBTS (55.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 55.9% at SBTS.

ISU vs. SBTS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and SBTS? 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).

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.