UALR vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR with Illinois State University in Normal, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than UALR based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 8,216 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Illinois State University is in Normal, IL (Small City setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; Illinois State University 19:1.

UALR vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR or ISU? 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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock than ISU ($12,033 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are 8.5% lower than at Illinois State University ($10,760 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 65.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $6,396 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.3% higher at ISU than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (about $6,052 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $22,158.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (96% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 17.8% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students ($12,974 vs. $11,013).

UALR vs. ISU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 10 points higher than at UALR (1090).
• Incoming ISU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at UALR).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; Illinois State University 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; Illinois State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027; ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UALR students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 22.5% at ISU.

UALR vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR and ISU? 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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($211 vs. $227).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UALR 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.