ISU vs. University of Southern Indiana

Deciding between Illinois State University and University of Southern Indiana? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Illinois State University
University of Southern Indiana

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • ISU Normal, IL
  • University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
  • Setting
  • ISU Small City
  • University of Southern Indiana Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • ISU 21,546
  • University of Southern Indiana 9,488
  • Type
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • University of Southern Indiana Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • ISU #502
  • University of Southern Indiana #836
  • Religious Affiliation
  • ISU -
  • University of Southern Indiana -
  • Status
  • ISU Non-profit
  • University of Southern Indiana Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • ISU
  • University of Southern Indiana
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • ISU $16,144
  • University of Southern Indiana $10,066
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • ISU $28,210
  • University of Southern Indiana $22,907
  • Room & Board
  • ISU $11,754
  • University of Southern Indiana $11,548
  • Average Net Price
  • ISU $21,369
  • University of Southern Indiana $14,722
  • Average Grant Aid
  • ISU $12,974
  • University of Southern Indiana $8,826
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • ISU 96%
  • University of Southern Indiana 98%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • ISU 21,573
  • University of Southern Indiana 4,602
  • Admitted
  • ISU 19,017
  • University of Southern Indiana 4,409
  • Acceptance Rate
  • ISU 88.2%
  • University of Southern Indiana 95.8%
  • Enrolled
  • ISU 22.5%
  • University of Southern Indiana 30%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ISU 1100
  • University of Southern Indiana 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • ISU 24
  • University of Southern Indiana 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • ISU 3.41
  • University of Southern Indiana 3.45
  • Typical High School Grades
  • ISU B+
  • University of Southern Indiana B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • ISU Moderate
  • University of Southern Indiana Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • ISU
  • University of Southern Indiana
  • ACT Range
  • ISU 21/27
  • University of Southern Indiana 21/27
  • SAT Range
  • ISU 990/1210
  • University of Southern Indiana 1030/1240
  • Submit Test Scores
  • ISU Test optional
  • University of Southern Indiana Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • ISU Apr 1, 2027
  • University of Southern Indiana Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • ISU 19:1
  • University of Southern Indiana 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (18%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • University of Southern Indiana
    • Health Professions (28%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • ISU 71%
  • University of Southern Indiana 34%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • ISU $49,000
  • University of Southern Indiana $38,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • ISU 74%
  • University of Southern Indiana 57%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • ISU $22,000
  • University of Southern Indiana $22,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • ISU $227
  • University of Southern Indiana $232
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • ISU 42%
  • University of Southern Indiana 38%
  • % Women
  • ISU 58%
  • University of Southern Indiana 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • ISU Low
  • University of Southern Indiana Very Low
  • HBCU
  • ISU No
  • University of Southern Indiana No
  • % White
  • ISU 77%
  • University of Southern Indiana 87%
  • % Asian
  • ISU 2%
  • University of Southern Indiana 2%
  • % Black
  • ISU 8%
  • University of Southern Indiana 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • ISU 9%
  • University of Southern Indiana 3%
  • % Native American
  • ISU 0%
  • University of Southern Indiana 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • ISU 0%
  • University of Southern Indiana 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • ISU 3%
  • University of Southern Indiana 2%
  • % International
  • ISU 0%
  • University of Southern Indiana 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • ISU 0%
  • University of Southern Indiana 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • ISU 96%
  • University of Southern Indiana 84%
  • % Out-of-State
  • ISU 3%
  • University of Southern Indiana 15%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • ISU Yes
  • University of Southern Indiana Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • ISU No
  • University of Southern Indiana No
  • Meal Plan
  • ISU Yes
  • University of Southern Indiana Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • ISU No
  • University of Southern Indiana No
  • Daycare Facility
  • ISU Yes
  • University of Southern Indiana Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than University of Southern Indiana based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 9,488 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); University of Southern Indiana is in Evansville, IN (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern Indiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; University of Southern Indiana 15:1.

ISU vs. University of Southern Indiana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or University of Southern Indiana? 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 Southern Indiana than ISU ($14,722 vs. $21,369).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Indiana are 1.8% lower than at Illinois State University ($11,548 vs. $11,754).
  • Illinois State University is 60.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Indiana (about $6,078 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $10,066.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 23.2% higher at ISU than at University of Southern Indiana (about $5,303 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $22,907.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Indiana than at Illinois State University (98% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 47% larger than aid received by University of Southern Indiana students ($12,974 vs. $8,826).

ISU vs. University of Southern Indiana Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or University of Southern Indiana? 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 University of Southern Indiana and ISU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern Indiana (1140) is 40 points higher than at ISU (1100).
  • Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at University of Southern Indiana (24).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; University of Southern Indiana 1030/1240.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; University of Southern Indiana 21/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; University of Southern Indiana - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; University of Southern Indiana Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Indiana students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at ISU (3.41).
  • University of Southern Indiana has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than ISU (88.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 30% at University of Southern Indiana.

ISU vs. University of Southern Indiana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and University of Southern Indiana? 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 Southern Indiana's (34%).
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than University of Southern Indiana graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Indiana graduates ($22,000 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Indiana graduates ($227 vs. $232).
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Indiana students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 57%)

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.