ISU Comparisons

6/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Normal, IL
4.8 4 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

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Curious how Illinois State University stacks up against other colleges? Compare ISU to any three other US colleges using the College Simply compare tool, or compare with some of the pre-selected schools below.

Frequently Compared

These similar colleges are most often compared with Illinois State University by students and parents using CollegeSimply.

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Compare Illinois State University and Northern Illinois University

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Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and Illinois State University

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Compare University of Illinois Chicago and Illinois State University

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Compare DePaul University and Illinois State University

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Compare Eastern Illinois University and Illinois State University

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Compare Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University

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Compare Illinois State University and Western Michigan University

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Compare Illinois State University and Western Illinois University

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Compare Illinois Institute of Technology and Illinois State University

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Compare Illinois State University and Indiana University Indianapolis

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Compare Bradley University and Illinois State University

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Compare Illinois State University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale

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Compare Illinois State University and Cleveland State University

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Compare Illinois State University and Grand Valley State University

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Compare Illinois State University and Loyola University Chicago

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Compare Illinois State University and Kentucky State University

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Compare Elmhurst University and Illinois State University

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Compare Illinois State University and Northeastern Illinois University

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Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus and Illinois State University

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Compare Augustana College and Illinois State University

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Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Illinois State University

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Compare Illinois State University and Lewis University

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Compare Illinois State University and University of Louisville

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Compare Illinois State University and Iowa State University

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Compare with Illinois Public Colleges

Compare with Illinois Public Colleges for Illinois State University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL	$1,806 lower in-state tuition	11% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL	$2,896 lower in-state tuition	18% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL	$2,810 lower in-state tuition	1% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Chicago State University Chicago, IL	$3,390 lower in-state tuition	45% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL	$3,761 lower in-state tuition	13% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL	$3,222 lower in-state tuition	9% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Western Illinois University Macomb, IL	$880 lower in-state tuition	17% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL	$2,465 lower in-state tuition	23% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL	$3,892 lower in-state tuition	2% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Governors State University University Park, IL	$4,140 lower in-state tuition	40% lower acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with Illinois Private Colleges

Compare with Illinois Private Colleges for Illinois State University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
Lewis University Romeoville, IL	$23,056 higher in-state tuition	17% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Aurora University Aurora, IL	$13,026 higher in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL	$26,811 higher in-state tuition	14% lower acceptance rate	Compare
School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL	$40,276 higher in-state tuition	11% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Roosevelt University Chicago, IL	$5,171 higher in-state tuition	9% higher acceptance rate	Compare
North Park University Chicago, IL	$20,566 higher in-state tuition	19% lower acceptance rate	Compare
McKendree University Lebanon, IL	$18,596 higher in-state tuition	16% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of St Francis Joliet, IL	$21,966 higher in-state tuition	23% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Eureka College Eureka, IL	$12,952 higher in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Illinois College Jacksonville, IL	$22,532 higher in-state tuition	10% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Monmouth College Monmouth, IL	$28,778 higher in-state tuition	3% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Concordia University Chicago River Forest, IL	$21,344 higher in-state tuition	5% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Quincy University Quincy, IL	$20,996 higher in-state tuition	37% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Augustana College Rock Island, IL	$35,454 higher in-state tuition	25% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL	$22,756 higher in-state tuition	32% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Greenville University Greenville, IL	$16,056 higher in-state tuition	9% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Methodist College Peoria, IL	$1,864 higher in-state tuition	49% lower acceptance rate	Compare
VanderCook College of Music Chicago, IL	$14,766 higher in-state tuition	1% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Principia College Elsah, Illinois	$18,536 higher in-state tuition	12% higher acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with Regional Public Colleges

Compare with Regional Public Colleges for Illinois State University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI	$1,004 lower in-state tuition	5% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Ball State University Muncie, IN	$5,062 lower in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Wayne State University Detroit, MI	$954 lower in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Louisville Louisville, KY	$3,008 lower in-state tuition	9% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI	$1,384 lower in-state tuition	2% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Michigan Dearborn Dearborn, MI	$504 lower in-state tuition	32% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI	$882 lower in-state tuition	0% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI	$892 lower in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI	$96 higher in-state tuition	8% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Bowling Green State University Main Campus Bowling Green, OH	$1,684 lower in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	$5,382 lower in-state tuition	12% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY	$5,056 lower in-state tuition	20% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Missouri State University Springfield Springfield, MO	$6,642 lower in-state tuition	3% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN	$6,612 lower in-state tuition	4% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Murray State University Murray, KY	$6,244 lower in-state tuition	2% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI	$3,214 lower in-state tuition	16% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR	$8,054 lower in-state tuition	6% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Winona State University Winona, MN	$5,568 lower in-state tuition	13% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO	$5,533 lower in-state tuition	2% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University South Bend South Bend, IN	$7,720 lower in-state tuition	4% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN	$6,078 lower in-state tuition	8% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Wright State University Main Campus Dayton, OH	$4,622 lower in-state tuition	8% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Michigan Flint Flint, MI	$1,440 lower in-state tuition	18% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University Northwest Gary, IN	$7,720 lower in-state tuition	15% lower acceptance rate	Compare
The University of Tennessee Martin Martin, TN	$5,584 lower in-state tuition	0% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University Southeast New Albany, IN	$7,720 lower in-state tuition	4% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University East Richmond, IN	$7,720 lower in-state tuition	21% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo, IN	$7,720 lower in-state tuition	2% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Purdue University Northwest Hammond, Indiana	$7,469 lower in-state tuition	16% lower acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with Regional Private Colleges

Compare with Regional Private Colleges for Illinois State University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	$21,056 higher in-state tuition	22% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Carthage College Kenosha, WI	$22,606 higher in-state tuition	1% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Adrian College Adrian, MI	$25,540 higher in-state tuition	15% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Anderson University Anderson, IN	$21,096 higher in-state tuition	9% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO	$5,456 higher in-state tuition	31% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana Wesleyan University Marion Marion, IN	$16,208 higher in-state tuition	1% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Georgetown College Georgetown, KY	$26,696 higher in-state tuition	3% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Trine University Angola, IN	$20,416 higher in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI	$16,802 higher in-state tuition	13% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Otterbein University Westerville, OH	$19,404 higher in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Capital University Columbus, OH	$27,090 higher in-state tuition	18% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Albion College Albion, MI	$40,806 higher in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Bellarmine University Louisville, KY	$32,626 higher in-state tuition	2% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Carroll University Waukesha, WI	$22,746 higher in-state tuition	21% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Wabash College Crawfordsville, IN	$34,656 higher in-state tuition	25% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Rockhurst University Kansas City, MO	$28,822 higher in-state tuition	18% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Dubuque Dubuque, IA	$25,951 higher in-state tuition	1% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Wartburg College Waverly, IA	$10,106 higher in-state tuition	12% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Bethel University Mishawaka, IN	$18,456 higher in-state tuition	10% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO	$11,022 higher in-state tuition	7% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Saint Ambrose University Davenport, IA	$20,514 higher in-state tuition	11% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MI	$17,870 higher in-state tuition	36% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Stephens College Columbia, MO	$12,156 higher in-state tuition	11% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Franklin College Franklin, IN	$22,566 higher in-state tuition	18% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Northwood University Midland, MI	$18,256 higher in-state tuition	23% lower acceptance rate	Compare
William Jewell College Liberty, MO	$4,466 higher in-state tuition	50% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Heidelberg University Tiffin, OH	$17,506 higher in-state tuition	2% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Wittenberg University Springfield, OH	$29,796 higher in-state tuition	16% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Saint Louis, MO	$16,406 higher in-state tuition	2% higher acceptance rate	Compare
The University of Findlay Findlay, OH	$25,020 higher in-state tuition	5% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN	$15,156 higher in-state tuition	19% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, MI	$6,856 higher in-state tuition	10% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Ripon College Ripon, WI	$35,756 higher in-state tuition	8% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Huntington University Huntington, IN	$15,726 higher in-state tuition	12% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Aquinas College Grand Rapids, MI	$24,074 higher in-state tuition	2% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Upper Iowa University Fayette, IA	$3,331 higher in-state tuition	8% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN	$15,056 higher in-state tuition	6% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Oakland City University Oakland City, IN	$11,756 higher in-state tuition	5% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Wilmington College Wilmington, OH	$15,938 higher in-state tuition	4% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Cleary University Howell, MI	$9,958 higher in-state tuition	20% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, MO	$14,422 higher in-state tuition	20% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Evangel University Springfield, MO	$12,404 higher in-state tuition	16% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, WI	$19,966 higher in-state tuition	10% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Milwaukee, WI	$27,599 higher in-state tuition	27% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Mount St. Joseph University Cincinnati, OH	$22,006 higher in-state tuition	29% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Clarke University Dubuque, IA	$24,766 higher in-state tuition	16% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY	$23,656 higher in-state tuition	2% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis, MO	$18,468 higher in-state tuition	19% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Midway University Midway, KY	$11,076 higher in-state tuition	7% higher acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with National Colleges

Compare with National Colleges for Illinois State University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
Texas State University San Marcos, TX	$4,694 lower in-state tuition	1% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL	$11,265 lower in-state tuition	22% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Washington State University Pullman, WA	$2,753 lower in-state tuition	1% lower acceptance rate	Compare
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV	$6,040 lower in-state tuition	1% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Boise State University Boise, ID	$7,096 lower in-state tuition	1% lower acceptance rate	Compare
The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX	$7,133 lower in-state tuition	1% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Mississippi University, MS	$6,372 lower in-state tuition	9% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Montclair State University Montclair, NJ	$232 lower in-state tuition	0% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR	$6,040 lower in-state tuition	14% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO	$5,761 lower in-state tuition	13% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA	$10,336 lower in-state tuition	19% lower acceptance rate	Compare

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=145813.

Last updated: August 2026