SCSU vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than SCSU based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 9,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Idaho State University is in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Idaho State University 14:1.

SCSU vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or ISU? 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 Idaho State University than SCSU ($12,174 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 47.2% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($7,882 vs. $14,938).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 56.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $4,828 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $8,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at ISU than at Southern Connecticut State University (about $342 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $27,378.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at Southern Connecticut State University (91% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students is 8.2% larger than aid received by Idaho State University students ($9,977 vs. $9,217).

SCSU vs. ISU Admissions comparison

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

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; ISU - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at SCSU (3.2).

SCSU vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU and ISU? 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).

• Southern Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Idaho State University graduates have a $300 lower median loan debt than SCSU graduates ($22,950 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCSU graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More SCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 47%)

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.