ISU vs. Thomas More

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Thomas More based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 2,350 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Thomas More University is in Crestview Hills, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas More University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Thomas More University 14:1.

ISU vs. Thomas More Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Thomas More? 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 Thomas More ($21,369 vs. $22,297).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas More University are 15.8% lower than at Illinois State University ($9,900 vs. $11,754).
• Thomas More University is 146.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $23,656 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.1% higher at Thomas More than at Illinois State University (about $11,590 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas More University than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas More University students is 110.2% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($27,271 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Thomas More Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas More University (1130) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Thomas More (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Thomas More University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Thomas More University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Thomas More - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Thomas More (3.35).
• Thomas More has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than ISU (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 12.5% at Thomas More.

ISU vs. Thomas More Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Thomas More? 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 Thomas More University's (52%).
• Graduates from Thomas More University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,500 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Thomas More graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas More graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Thomas More 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.