ISU vs. UM-Dearborn

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than UM-Dearborn based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 8,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); University of Michigan Dearborn is in Dearborn, MI (Small City setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Michigan Dearborn is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; University of Michigan Dearborn 16:1.

ISU vs. UM-Dearborn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or UM-Dearborn? 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 Michigan Dearborn than ISU ($11,521 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 4.4% lower than at Illinois State University ($11,241 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM-Dearborn (about $504 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $15,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at UM-Dearborn than at Illinois State University (about $4,686 more per year; $32,896.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Dearborn than at Illinois State University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 7% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students ($12,974 vs. $12,124).

ISU vs. UM-Dearborn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or UM-Dearborn? 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 UM-Dearborn and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Michigan Dearborn (1120) is 20 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming UM-Dearborn students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; University of Michigan Dearborn 990/1255.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; University of Michigan Dearborn 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; UM-Dearborn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UM-Dearborn students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than UM-Dearborn (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 14.2% at UM-Dearborn.

ISU vs. UM-Dearborn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and UM-Dearborn? 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 Michigan Dearborn's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,800 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than UM-Dearborn graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Dearborn graduates ($227 vs. $266).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 46%)

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.