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Northern Illinois Illinois Oklahoma State University-Main Campus OU UIC Ole Miss Alabama University of Missouri-Columbia DePaul Missouri State University-Springfield EIU IWU| University of Arkansas | Illinois State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Arkansas | ISU | ||
| Location | Fayetteville, AR | Normal, IL | ||
| Setting | Small City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 32,140 | 20,989 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #444 | #501 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | uark.edu | illinoisstate.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Arkansas | ISU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,666 | $12,066 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $26,690 | $24,131 | ||
| Room & Board | $13,290 | $11,584 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $17,475 | $20,871 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,109 | $11,590 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 50% | 96% |
Admission |
Arkansas | ISU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 28,186 | 20,884 | ||
| Admitted | 20,202 | 18,589 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 71.7% | 89% | ||
| Enrolled % | 31.4% | 22.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.74 | 3.41 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 21/28 | 22/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1050/1220 | 1010/1230 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 | Apr 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Arkansas | ISU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 19:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Arkansas | ISU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 59% | 71% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $50,400 | $49,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 66% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,500 | $22,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $222 | $227 |
Diversity |
Arkansas | ISU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 7% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 8% | 8% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 77% | 77% | ||
| % Black | 5% | 8% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 9% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 3% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 0% |
Students |
Arkansas | ISU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 47% | 96% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 52% | 3% | ||
Campus |
Arkansas | ISU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of Arkansas is larger than than ISU based on total student enrollment (32,140 students vs. 20,989 students)
Arkansas vs. ISU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or ISU?
- Illinois State University is 57.4% more expensive to attend than Arkansas for in-state tuition ($12,066.00 vs. $7,666.00)
- Out of state tuition is 10.6% higher at Arkansas than Illinois State University ($26,690.00 vs. $24,131.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Arkansas than ISU ($17,475 vs. $20,871)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 14.7% lower than costs at University of Arkansas ($11,584 vs. $13,290)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Illinois State University than University of Arkansas (96% vs. 50%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 42.9% larger than aid received University of Arkansas ($11,590 vs. $8,109)
Arkansas vs. ISU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas or ISU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between ISU or Arkansas .
- The average SAT score at University of Arkansas (1154) is 64 points higher than at ISU (1090)
- Incoming Arkansas students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at ISU (24)
- Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at ISU (3.41)
- ISU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Arkansas (71.7%)
Arkansas vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Arkansas or ISU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between ISU and Arkansas.
- The graduation rate at ISU is higher than University of Arkansas (71% vs. 59%)
- Graduates from University of Arkansas earn on average $1,400 more per year than ISU graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $49,000)
- University of Arkansas students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than ISU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,000)
- Arkansas graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than ISU graduates. ($222 vs. $227)
- More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 66%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/