ISU vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Wayne State University in Detroit, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 21,546 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

ISU vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or WSU? 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 Wayne State University than ISU ($14,416 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 17.5% lower than at Wayne State University ($11,754 vs. $14,252).
• Illinois State University is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $954 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at WSU than at Illinois State University (about $3,827 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Illinois State University (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($12,974 vs. $12,953).

ISU vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 70 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming WSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 22.4% at WSU.

ISU vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and WSU? 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $258 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($22,000 vs. $22,258).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($227 vs. $230).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 38%)

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.