McKendree University vs. ISU

Should I go to McKendree University or Iowa State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McKendree University or ISU 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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McKendree University vs. Iowa State University comparison
McKendree University Iowa State University College 3 College 4
McKendree University Iowa State University
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Overview

McKendree University ISU
Location Lebanon, IL Ames, IA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 1,960 29,969
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #607 #352
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mckendree.edu iastate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McKendree University ISU
Tuition (In State) $32,020 $8,678
Tuition (Out of State) $32,020 $25,162
Room & Board $11,590 $9,358
Avg Net Price $22,431 $15,310
Avg Grant Aid $24,145 $11,043
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 80%

Admission

McKendree University ISU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,332 21,919
Admitted 1,594 19,776
Acceptance Rate 68.4% 90.2%
Enrolled % 26.5% 29%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/28 21/28
SAT Range 871/1277 1090/1350
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

McKendree University ISU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

McKendree University ISU
Graduation Rate 54% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $53,700
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $23,868
Median Loan Payment $240 $246

Diversity

McKendree University ISU
% Men 46% 55%
% Women 54% 45%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 76%
% Black 14% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 7%
% Unknown Race 7% 5%

Students

McKendree University ISU
% In-State 48% 52%
% Out-of-State 27% 45%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Iowa State University is larger than than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (29,969 students vs. 1,960 students)

McKendree University vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McKendree University or ISU?

  • McKendree University is 269% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($32,020.00 vs. $8,678.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.3% higher at McKendree University than Iowa State University ($32,020.00 vs. $25,162.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than McKendree University ($15,310 vs. $22,431)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 23.9% lower than costs at McKendree University ($9,358 vs. $11,590)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McKendree University than Iowa State University (100% vs. 80%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McKendree University students is 118.6% larger than aid received Iowa State University ($24,145 vs. $11,043)

McKendree University vs. ISU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Iowa State University (1142) is 136 points higher than at McKendree University (1006)
  • Incoming ISU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at McKendree University (22)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at McKendree University (3.38)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (90.2%) than McKendree University (68.4%)

McKendree University vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McKendree University or ISU? 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 ISU and McKendree University.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than McKendree University (68% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Iowa State University earn on average $5,400 more per year than McKendree University graduates after ten years. ($53,700 vs. $48,300)
  • McKendree University students graduate with a $618 lower median federal student loan debt than ISU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $23,868)
  • McKendree University graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than ISU graduates. ($240 vs. $246)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McKendree University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 58%)

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