ISU vs. Trinity Christian College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Trinity Christian College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 854 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Trinity Christian College is in Palos Heights, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Trinity Christian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Trinity Christian College 10:1.

ISU vs. Trinity Christian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Trinity Christian 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 Trinity Christian College than ISU ($19,655 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity Christian College are 2.6% lower than at Illinois State University ($11,450 vs. $11,754).
• Trinity Christian College is 27.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $4,461 more per year; $20,605.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at ISU than at Trinity Christian College (about $7,605 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $20,605.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity Christian College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity Christian College students is 15.4% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($14,966 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Trinity Christian College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Trinity Christian College (1190) is 90 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Trinity Christian College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Trinity Christian College 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Trinity Christian College 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Trinity Christian College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Trinity Christian College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Trinity Christian College (84.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 23.2% at Trinity Christian College.

ISU vs. Trinity Christian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Trinity Christian 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 Trinity Christian College's (64%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Trinity Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $2,555 lower median loan debt than Trinity Christian College graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,555).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity Christian College graduates ($227 vs. $253).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity Christian College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 68%)

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.