ISU vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

ISU vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Wartburg 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 Wartburg College ($21,369 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wartburg College are 0% lower than at Illinois State University ($11,750 vs. $11,754).
• Wartburg College is 62.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $10,106 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at ISU than at Wartburg College (about $1,960 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wartburg College than at Illinois State University (97% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 210.9% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($40,336 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 30 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Wartburg College (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wartburg College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

ISU vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Wartburg 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).

• Illinois State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Wartburg College's (63%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Wartburg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $48,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 74%)

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.