ISU vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 21,546 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ISU vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Louisville? 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 University of Louisville than ISU ($19,785 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 6.5% lower than at University of Louisville ($11,754 vs. $12,576).
• Illinois State University is 22.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $3,008 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Louisville than at Illinois State University (about $1,272 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Illinois State University (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 13.1% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($14,677 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 60 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

ISU vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Louisville? 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 University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $2,344 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($19,656 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($203 vs. $227).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 58%)

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.