UIC vs. ISU

Should I go to University of Illinois at Chicago or Illinois State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UIC 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Loyola Northern Illinois Illinois IIT ISU UC UB Michigan State DePaul UChicago EIU University of Illinois at Springfield
University of Illinois at Chicago vs. Illinois State University comparison
University of Illinois at Chicago Illinois State University College 3 College 4
University of Illinois at Chicago Illinois State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

UIC ISU
Location Chicago, IL Normal, IL
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 33,747 20,683
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #234 #493
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uic.edu illinoisstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UIC ISU
Tuition (In State) $10,970 $11,840
Tuition (Out of State) $25,578 $23,681
Room & Board $14,400 $10,602
Avg Net Price $10,384 $20,551
Avg Grant Aid $13,813 $11,619
% Receiving Grant Aid 73% 97%

Admission

UIC ISU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 23,562 19,596
Admitted 18,541 16,899
Acceptance Rate 78.7% 86.2%
Enrolled % 22.9% 23.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/30 21/27
SAT Range 1110/1340 1000/1210
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 Feb 1, 2024 Apr 1, 2024

Academics

UIC ISU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

UIC ISU
Graduation Rate 54% 71%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,900 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,750 $22,000
Median Loan Payment $193 $227

Diversity

UIC ISU
% Men 44% 42%
% Women 56% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 34% 77%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 28% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

UIC ISU
% In-State 88% 96%
% Out-of-State 5% 3%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Illinois at Chicago is larger than than ISU based on total student enrollment (33,747 students vs. 20,683 students)

UIC vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or ISU?

  • Illinois State University is 7.9% more expensive to attend than UIC for in-state tuition ($11,840.00 vs. $10,970.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8% higher at UIC than Illinois State University ($25,578.00 vs. $23,681.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Illinois at Chicago than ISU ($10,384 vs. $20,551)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 35.8% lower than costs at University of Illinois at Chicago ($10,602 vs. $14,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Illinois State University than University of Illinois at Chicago (97% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois at Chicago students is 18.9% larger than aid received Illinois State University ($13,813 vs. $11,619)

UIC vs. ISU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Illinois at Chicago (1092) is 2 points higher than at ISU (1090)
  • Incoming UIC students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at ISU (24)
  • Accepted freshman UIC students have at the same average high school GPA (3.41) as students at ISU (3.41)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than UIC (78.7%)

UIC vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UIC 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 UIC.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than University of Illinois at Chicago (71% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from University of Illinois at Chicago earn on average $12,900 more per year than ISU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $49,000)
  • University of Illinois at Chicago students graduate with a $3,250 lower median federal student loan debt than ISU graduates. ($18,750 vs. $22,000)
  • UIC graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than ISU graduates. ($193 vs. $227)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 68%)

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