ISU vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 16,291 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

ISU vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or WKU? 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 Western Kentucky University than ISU ($12,548 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 6.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,754 vs. $12,582).
• Illinois State University is 38.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $4,492 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at ISU than at Western Kentucky University (about $1,210 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Illinois State University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 18.8% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,974 vs. $10,921).

ISU vs. WKU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 150 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming ISU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ISU (3.41).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than ISU (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 30.2% at WKU.

ISU vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and WKU? 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 Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($227 vs. $250).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 47%)

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.