ISU vs. Wright State

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Wright State University Main Campus in Dayton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Wright State based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 10,603 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Wright State University Main Campus is in Dayton, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wright State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Wright State University Main Campus 16:1.

ISU vs. Wright State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Wright State? 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 Wright State University Main Campus than ISU ($15,254 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wright State University Main Campus are 4.3% lower than at Illinois State University ($11,250 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 40.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wright State (about $4,622 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $11,522.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.9% higher at ISU than at Wright State University Main Campus (about $6,988 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $21,222.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Wright State University Main Campus (96% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 45.1% larger than aid received by Wright State University Main Campus students ($12,974 vs. $8,942).

ISU vs. Wright State Admissions comparison

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

• Wright State University Main Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 30 points higher than at Wright State (1070).
• Incoming ISU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Wright State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Wright State University Main Campus 913/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Wright State University Main Campus 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Wright State - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; Wright State Aug 23, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have the same average high school GPA (3.41) as students at Wright State (3.41).
• Wright State has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than ISU (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 20.4% at Wright State.

ISU vs. Wright State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Wright State? 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 Wright State University Main Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Wright State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Wright State graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wright State graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wright State students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 51%)

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.