ISU vs. University of Akron

Should I go to Illinois State University or University of Akron Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ISU or University of Akron is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Illinois State University vs. University of Akron Main Campus comparison
Illinois State University University of Akron Main Campus College 3 College 4
Illinois State University University of Akron Main Campus
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Overview

ISU University of Akron
Location Normal, IL Akron, OH
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 20,683 13,465
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #493 #838
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website illinoisstate.edu uakron.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU University of Akron
Tuition (In State) $11,840 $10,097
Tuition (Out of State) $23,681 $13,170
Room & Board $10,602 $12,410
Avg Net Price $20,551 $14,667
Avg Grant Aid $11,619 $8,525
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 96%

Admission

ISU University of Akron
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,596 12,282
Admitted 16,899 10,178
Acceptance Rate 86.2% 82.9%Open
Enrolled % 23.6% 20.8%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 18/25
SAT Range 1000/1210 980/1230
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 Apr 1, 2024 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

ISU University of Akron
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

ISU University of Akron
Graduation Rate 71% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $40,100
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $263

Diversity

ISU University of Akron
% Men 42% 50%
% Women 58% 50%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 74%
% Black 8% 12%
% Hispanic 9% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

ISU University of Akron
% In-State 96% 92%
% Out-of-State 3% 7%

Campus

ISU University of Akron
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Illinois State University is larger than than University of Akron based on total student enrollment (20,683 students vs. 13,465 students)

ISU vs. University of Akron Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or University of Akron?

  • Illinois State University is 17.3% more expensive to attend than University of Akron for in-state tuition ($11,840.00 vs. $10,097.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 79.8% higher at ISU than University of Akron Main Campus ($23,681.00 vs. $13,170.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Akron Main Campus than ISU ($14,667 vs. $20,551)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 17.1% lower than costs at University of Akron Main Campus ($10,602 vs. $12,410)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Illinois State University than University of Akron Main Campus (97% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 36.3% larger than aid received University of Akron Main Campus ($11,619 vs. $8,525)

ISU vs. University of Akron Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or University of Akron? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Akron or ISU .

  • The average SAT score at Illinois State University (1090) is 41 points higher than at University of Akron (1049)
  • Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at University of Akron (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of Akron students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at ISU (3.41)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than University of Akron (82.9%)

ISU vs. University of Akron Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU or University of Akron? 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 University of Akron and ISU.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than University of Akron Main Campus (71% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn on average $8,900 more per year than University of Akron graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $40,100)
  • Illinois State University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Akron graduates. ($22,000 vs. $25,500)
  • ISU graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than University of Akron graduates. ($227 vs. $263)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/