ISU vs. Wabash College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Wabash College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 866 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Wabash College is in Crawfordsville, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wabash College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Wabash College 9:1.

ISU vs. Wabash College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Wabash College? 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 Illinois State University than Wabash College ($21,369 vs. $25,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 18.4% lower than at Wabash College ($11,754 vs. $14,400).
• Wabash College is 214.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $34,656 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.1% higher at Wabash College than at Illinois State University (about $22,590 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wabash College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wabash College students is 205.3% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($39,605 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Wabash College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Wabash College? 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 Wabash College and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wabash College (1170) is 70 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming Wabash College 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; Wabash College 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Wabash College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Wabash College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; Wabash College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wabash College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Wabash College (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 18.4% at Wabash College.

ISU vs. Wabash College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Wabash College? 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).

• Wabash College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Illinois State University's (71%).
• Graduates from Wabash College earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,800 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 Wabash College graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wabash College graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wabash College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 70%)

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.