Illinois vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 21,546 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Illinois vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign than ISU ($13,973 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 19.1% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($11,754 vs. $14,522).
• Illinois State University is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $140 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.5% higher at Illinois than at Illinois State University (about $6,914 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (96% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 48.8% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($19,299 vs. $12,974).

Illinois vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois 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 Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 320 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Illinois State University 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Illinois State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 22.5% at ISU.

Illinois vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois 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).

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Illinois State University's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($211 vs. $227).
• More Illinois 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.