ISU vs. UT Martin

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with The University of Tennessee Martin in Martin, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than UT Martin based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 7,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Martin is in Martin, TN (Remote Town setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Martin is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; The University of Tennessee Martin 16:1.

ISU vs. UT Martin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or UT Martin? 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 University of Tennessee Martin than ISU ($11,955 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Martin are 35.8% lower than at Illinois State University ($7,544 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 52.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Martin (about $5,584 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $10,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.9% higher at ISU than at The University of Tennessee Martin (about $11,610 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $16,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Martin than at Illinois State University (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 19.5% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Martin students ($12,974 vs. $10,861).

ISU vs. UT Martin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 10 points higher than at UT Martin (1090).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at UT Martin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; The University of Tennessee Martin 970/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; The University of Tennessee Martin 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; UT Martin - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Martin students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at ISU (3.41).
• UT Martin has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than ISU (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 22.8% at UT Martin.

ISU vs. UT Martin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and UT Martin? 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 The University of Tennessee Martin's (48%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than UT Martin graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than UT Martin graduates ($22,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Martin graduates ($227 vs. $242).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Martin students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 54%)

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.