ISU vs. University of St Francis

Deciding between Illinois State University and University of St Francis? 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 St Francis

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • ISU Normal, IL
  • University of St Francis Joliet, IL
  • Setting
  • ISU Small City
  • University of St Francis Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • ISU 21,546
  • University of St Francis 3,074
  • Type
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • University of St Francis Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • ISU #502
  • University of St Francis #355
  • Religious Affiliation
  • ISU -
  • University of St Francis Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • ISU Non-profit
  • University of St Francis Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • ISU
  • University of St Francis

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • ISU $16,144
  • University of St Francis $38,110
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • ISU $28,210
  • University of St Francis $38,110
  • Room & Board
  • ISU $11,754
  • University of St Francis $11,980
  • Average Net Price
  • ISU $21,369
  • University of St Francis $14,045
  • Average Grant Aid
  • ISU $12,974
  • University of St Francis $31,998
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • ISU 96%
  • University of St Francis 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • ISU 21,573
  • University of St Francis 2,250
  • Admitted
  • ISU 19,017
  • University of St Francis 1,469
  • Acceptance Rate
  • ISU 88.2%
  • University of St Francis 65.3%
  • Enrolled
  • ISU 22.5%
  • University of St Francis 14.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ISU 1100
  • University of St Francis 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • ISU 24
  • University of St Francis 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • ISU 3.41
  • University of St Francis 3.47
  • Typical High School Grades
  • ISU B+
  • University of St Francis B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • ISU Moderate
  • University of St Francis Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • ISU
  • University of St Francis Low
  • ACT Range
  • ISU 21/27
  • University of St Francis 20/32
  • SAT Range
  • ISU 990/1210
  • University of St Francis 1030/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • ISU Test optional
  • University of St Francis Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • ISU Apr 1, 2027
  • University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • ISU 19:1
  • University of St Francis 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (18%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • University of St Francis
    • Health Professions (41%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Psychology (3%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • ISU 71%
  • University of St Francis 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • ISU $49,000
  • University of St Francis $50,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • ISU 74%
  • University of St Francis 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • ISU $22,000
  • University of St Francis $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • ISU $227
  • University of St Francis $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • ISU 42%
  • University of St Francis 27%
  • % Women
  • ISU 58%
  • University of St Francis 73%
  • Racial Diversity
  • ISU Low
  • University of St Francis Medium
  • HBCU
  • ISU No
  • University of St Francis No
  • % White
  • ISU 77%
  • University of St Francis 67%
  • % Asian
  • ISU 2%
  • University of St Francis 2%
  • % Black
  • ISU 8%
  • University of St Francis 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • ISU 9%
  • University of St Francis 16%
  • % Native American
  • ISU 0%
  • University of St Francis 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • ISU 0%
  • University of St Francis 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • ISU 3%
  • University of St Francis 3%
  • % International
  • ISU 0%
  • University of St Francis 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • ISU 0%
  • University of St Francis 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • ISU 96%
  • University of St Francis 91%
  • % Out-of-State
  • ISU 3%
  • University of St Francis 9%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than University of St Francis based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 3,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); University of St Francis is in Joliet, IL (Midsize City setting).
  • Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Francis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; University of St Francis 15:1.

ISU vs. University of St Francis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or University of St Francis? 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 St Francis than ISU ($14,045 vs. $21,369).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 1.9% lower than at University of St Francis ($11,754 vs. $11,980).
  • University of St Francis is 136.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $21,966 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $16,144.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 35.1% higher at University of St Francis than at Illinois State University (about $9,900 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $28,210.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Francis than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 146.6% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($31,998 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. University of St Francis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or University of St Francis? 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 St Francis and ISU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Francis (1130) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1100).
  • Incoming University of St Francis 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 St Francis 1030/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; University of St Francis 20/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; University of St Francis - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of St Francis students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at ISU (3.41).
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than University of St Francis (65.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 14.2% at University of St Francis.

ISU vs. University of St Francis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and University of St Francis? 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 St Francis's (63%).
  • Graduates from University of St Francis earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than University of St Francis graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Francis graduates ($227 vs. $258).
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St Francis students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 62%)

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.