ISU vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Washington State University in Pullman, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington State University is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 21,546 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Washington State University 15:1.

ISU vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Washington State? 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 Washington State University than ISU ($18,171 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 13.7% lower than at Washington State University ($11,754 vs. $13,622).
• Illinois State University is 20.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington State (about $2,753 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $13,391.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Washington State than at Illinois State University (about $1,740 more per year; $29,950.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Washington State University (96% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 19.2% larger than aid received by Washington State University students ($12,974 vs. $10,886).

ISU vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Washington State? 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 Washington State and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington State University (1120) is 20 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Washington State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Washington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Washington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Washington State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Washington State (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

ISU vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Washington State? 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 Washington State University's (67%).
• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington State University graduates have a $1,571 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,429 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Washington State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($211 vs. $227).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington State students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

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.