ISU vs. William Jewell College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with William Jewell College in Liberty, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than William Jewell College based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); William Jewell College is in Liberty, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Jewell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; William Jewell College 10:1.

ISU vs. William Jewell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or William Jewell 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 William Jewell College than ISU ($19,294 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Jewell College are 3.7% lower than at Illinois State University ($11,320 vs. $11,754).
• William Jewell College is 27.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $4,466 more per year; $20,610.00 vs. $16,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at ISU than at William Jewell College (about $7,600 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $20,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Jewell College than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Jewell College students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($16,552 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. William Jewell College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William Jewell College (1180) is 80 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at William Jewell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; William Jewell College 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; William Jewell College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; William Jewell College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William Jewell College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than William Jewell College (38.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 33% at William Jewell College.

ISU vs. William Jewell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and William Jewell 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 William Jewell College's (63%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $500 more per year than William Jewell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $48,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than William Jewell College graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Jewell College graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More William Jewell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.