ISU vs. UM-Flint

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than UM-Flint based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 6,529 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ISU vs. UM-Flint Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or UM-Flint? 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 Flint than ISU ($7,852 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 16.3% lower than at University of Michigan Flint ($11,754 vs. $14,042).
• Illinois State University is 9.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM-Flint (about $1,440 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $14,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at UM-Flint than at Illinois State University (about $110 more per year; $28,320.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Flint than at Illinois State University (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 3% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Flint students ($12,974 vs. $12,591).

ISU vs. UM-Flint Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Michigan Flint (1110) is 10 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at UM-Flint).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; University of Michigan Flint 970/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; University of Michigan Flint 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; UM-Flint - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; UM-Flint Aug 22, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UM-Flint students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than UM-Flint (70.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 6.6% at UM-Flint.

ISU vs. UM-Flint Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and UM-Flint? 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 Flint's (37%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than UM-Flint graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than UM-Flint graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Flint graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Flint students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 40%)

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.