Illinois State vs Millikin University
When it comes to higher education in Illinois, Illinois State University (ISU) and Millikin University stand out as two distinct and reputable institutions. ISU, a public university located in Normal, boasts a larger student body, a higher acceptance rate, and a wider range of academic programs, including popular majors like Business, Education, and Psychology. Millikin University, a private university in Decatur, offers a more intimate learning environment, a lower student-to-faculty ratio, and a focus on liberal arts and pre-professional programs, with popular majors including Business, Biology, and Communication. While both universities offer a quality education, their unique characteristics cater to different student preferences and aspirations. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university better aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Illinois State University |
![]() Millikin University |
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Overview |
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Location | Normal, Illinois | Decatur, Illinois |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 83.0% | 70.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.5% | 74.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1000 - 1200 | 960 - 1190 |
ACT range | 21 - 27 | 19 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | 30.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 19.0% | 19.0% |
Total number of applicants | 11,913 | 3,049 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,905 | 2,281 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,374 | 409 |
Yield rate | 30.9% | 17.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$31,811
Out of state:
$43,335
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$55,382 |
Average net price | $21,033 | $20,055 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,524
Out of state:
$23,048
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$38,800 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,494
Meal plan:
$4,652
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Room/dormitory:
$9,400
Meal plan:
$2,150
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
91.0%
Average amount $10,848 |
100.0%
Average amount $32,198 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
46.0%
Average amount $5,065 |
66.0%
Average amount $5,640 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $14,532 |
9.0%
Average amount $12,206 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
17,674
Men 43.0% Women 57.0% |
1,812
Men 43.0% Women 57.0% |
Graduate students |
2,559
Men 35.1% Women 64.9% |
94
Men 40.4% Women 59.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 4.2% | 36.0% |
International students | 2.8% | 6.1% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 5,560 | 1,122 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Illinois Missouri Wisconsin Michigan Iowa | Illinois Missouri Indiana Texas Wisconsin |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.3% | 54.8% |
Dropout rate | 32.0% | 45.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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