Arkansas vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 21,546 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); Illinois State University is in Normal, IL (Small City setting).
• University of Arkansas 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 20:1; Illinois State University 19:1.

Arkansas vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 than ISU ($18,408 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 17.5% lower than at University of Arkansas ($11,754 vs. $14,244).
• Illinois State University is 59.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $6,040 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Arkansas than at Illinois State University (about $1,756 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at University of Arkansas (96% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 47.4% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($12,974 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas (1130) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming Arkansas students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at ISU (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; Illinois State University 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; Illinois State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027; ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• 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 (88.2%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 22.5% at ISU.

Arkansas vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas 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's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.