ISU vs. Ole Miss

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mississippi is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (26,449 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 Mississippi is in University, MS (Remote Town setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; University of Mississippi 18:1.

ISU vs. Ole Miss Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Ole Miss? 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 Mississippi than ISU ($15,045 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 6.7% lower than at University of Mississippi ($11,754 vs. $12,600).
• Illinois State University is 65.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ole Miss (about $6,372 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $9,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Ole Miss than at Illinois State University (about $390 more per year; $28,600.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at University of Mississippi (96% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 4.2% larger than aid received by University of Mississippi students ($12,974 vs. $12,455).

ISU vs. Ole Miss Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is the same as at Ole Miss (1100).
• Incoming Ole Miss students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; University of Mississippi 1000/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; University of Mississippi 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Ole Miss - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ole Miss students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at ISU (3.41).
• Ole Miss has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than ISU (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 18.5% at Ole Miss.

ISU vs. Ole Miss Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Ole Miss? 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 Mississippi's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Mississippi earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,700 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mississippi graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Ole Miss graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($206 vs. $227).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ole Miss students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 60%)

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.