Aurora University vs. ISU

Aurora University and Illinois State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Aurora University
Illinois State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Aurora University (80.9% admitted vs 88.2%). Typical SAT 1030 vs 1100.
  • Cheaper after aid: Aurora University. Average net price is $19,053 vs $21,369 at ISU.
  • Graduation: Aurora University 44% vs ISU 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Aurora University $42,900 vs ISU $49,000 (median).
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Key differences

Aurora University Illinois State University
Acceptance rate
Aurora University more selective
Aurora University80.9%
ISU88.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ISU higher
Aurora University900-1150
ISU990-1210
Average net price
Aurora University $2,316 less
Aurora University$19,053
ISU$21,369
In-state tuition
ISU $13,026 less
Aurora University$29,170
ISU$16,144
Out-of-state tuition
ISU $960 less
Aurora University$29,170
ISU$28,210
Graduation rate
ISU +27 pts
Aurora University44%
ISU71%
Median earnings (10 years)
ISU +$6,100
Aurora University$42,900
ISU$49,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Aurora University 5,384
  • ISU 21,573
  • Admitted
  • Aurora University 4,353
  • ISU 19,017
  • Acceptance rate
  • Aurora University 80.9%
  • ISU 88.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Aurora University 15.6%
  • ISU 22.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Aurora University 1030
  • ISU 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • Aurora University 25
  • ISU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Aurora University 3.56
  • ISU 3.41
  • Typical high school grades
  • Aurora University A-
  • ISU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Aurora University Moderate
  • ISU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Aurora University
  • ISU
  • SAT range
  • Aurora University 900-1150
  • ISU 990-1210
  • ACT range
  • Aurora University 21-29
  • ISU 21-27
  • Submit test scores
  • Aurora University Test optional
  • ISU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Aurora University
  • ISU Apr 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Aurora University $29,170
  • ISU $16,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Aurora University $29,170
  • ISU $28,210
  • Room & board
  • Aurora University $13,580
  • ISU $11,754
  • Average net price
  • Aurora University $19,053
  • ISU $21,369
  • Average grant aid
  • Aurora University $21,513
  • ISU $12,974
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Aurora University 99%
  • ISU 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Aurora University 44%
  • ISU 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Aurora University $42,900
  • ISU $49,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Aurora University 63%
  • ISU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Aurora University $22,337
  • ISU $22,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Aurora University $230
  • ISU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Aurora University 18:1
  • ISU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Aurora University
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (18%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Location
  • Aurora University Aurora, IL
  • ISU Normal, IL
  • Setting
  • Aurora University Large Suburban
  • ISU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Aurora University 5,923
  • ISU 21,546
  • Type
  • Aurora University Private 4 Year
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Aurora University #734
  • ISU #502

Comparable Facts

Compare Aurora University in Aurora, IL with Illinois State University in Normal, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Illinois State University is larger than Aurora University based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 5,923 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Aurora University is located in Aurora, IL (Large Suburban setting); Illinois State University is in Normal, IL (Small City setting).
  • Aurora University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Aurora University 18:1; Illinois State University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 13.4% lower than at Aurora University ($11,754 vs. $13,580).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Aurora University than at Illinois State University (about $960 more per year; $29,170 vs. $28,210).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aurora University than at Illinois State University (99% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aurora University students is 65.8% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($21,513 vs. $12,974).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Aurora University than at ISU (25 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Aurora University and ISU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Aurora University average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at ISU (3.41).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Aurora University vs. 22.5% at ISU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $337 lower median loan debt than Aurora University graduates ($22,000 vs. $22,337).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Aurora University graduates ($227 vs. $230).
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Aurora University students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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