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Naman Arora Study Abroad Course Specialist
Study Abroad Course Specialist
Illinois State University, abbreviated as ISU, is a public university in Normal, a part of the Bloomington–Normal metropolitan area. The admissions are moderately selective, and the acceptance rate for ISU is approximately 81%. It is a mid-sized university with around 18,000 undergraduate students. Business, Education, Nursing, Psychology, and Communication are some of the most sought-after programs at Illinois State. Its six-year graduation rate is around 68%, and its alumni have median earnings of around INR 49,00,000 or USD 58,000 ten years after graduation.
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is a Chicago, Illinois-based public research university within the Chicago metropolitan area. Admission is moderately competitive, and its acceptance rate is around 73%. It is a large university with an enrollment of around 22,000 undergraduates. Health Professions, Business, Engineering, Biological Sciences, and Computer Science are some of the most popular programs at UIC. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 62%, with alumni indicating median earnings of roughly INR 57,00,000 or USD 67,000 ten years after graduation.
| Illinois State University | University of Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 5.4 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 1401 QS World University 2025 # 1789 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 209 US News 2024 | # 201 Times Higher Education 2026 # 334 QS World University 2026 # 201 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -127 PG Programs -46 | UG Programs -89 PG Programs -57 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 89.0 % | 78.5 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-105 IELTS-6.5 PTE-53 TOEFL-79 | GMAT-600 GRE-299 IELTS-6.5 PTE-54 SAT-1080 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 26950 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 18012 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 23948 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 44758 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 24738 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 29000 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | The top-paid graduates from the following departments: engineering (average salary: $69,188), computer science (average salary: $67,539), and math and sciences degrees (average salary: $62,177). | Graduate Employability: 161-170 (2020). |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit official test scores if applicable Submit English language proficiency test scores Check program specific requirements | Applicants must have scores requirements: 66-91 (based on program). You are also required to fulfill country-specific requirements. |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.7/10 Read 4 reviews | 7.5/10 Read 8 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| exam scores | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 79/120 | GRE - 318/340IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 54/90TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -18012 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -24738 |
| application dates | Nov 1, 2024 (Priority Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) | Jan 5, 2025 (Regular Decision Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Illinois State University | University of Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1857 | 1867 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 11:1 |
| Male:Female | 45% Male, 55% Female | 49% Male, 50% Female |
| Location Facts | The campus is located at 100 North University street in Illinois. | Located among culturally rich neighborhoods of Pilsen, Chinatown, Southloop, Little Italy, West loop, Greektown, is a 15-minute walk from downtown Chicago. It is highly accessible through public transport stops. |
| Library | Milner Library provides students with study resources that include leisure and study seating; research assistance; access to over a million-and-a-half books and over 100,000 periodicals; digital collections; campus uLab; ubiquitous wireless; multimedia center; collaboration stations; and printing, copying, and scanning options. | Total ebooks: 504,341. Databases: 634. Journals:60,000 are all housed together in 5 university libraries. The library also has a special and university archives collectiom. |
| Campus Life | Illinois State is home to over 400 registered student organizations or "RSOs". These organizations can range from intramural sports to branches of nationally recognized student organizations. Illinois State University also boasts one of the largest student spirit organizations in the United States, RED ALERT. The university has a state of the art fitness center of which every student becomes a member automatically. University also offers various health services, counselling services to the students. There are also on campus residences and dining halls on the campus. Students get involved in various sports like football, basketball, swimming etc. | Chicago’s only public university offers a pop-up pantry, wellness center, a gallery, theatre, student-run radio show, NCAA competing sports teams to indulge in. IT hosts free back to school concert, free comedy show during spring, The university has over 300 student organizations offering a number of opportunities to chose from. |
| Hostel | #Housing & Food - $11754 #Housing & Food - $12194 | #Housing and Food Expenses - $14400 #Housing and Food Expenses - $14600 |
| Famous Alumni | Tricia Griffith, CEO for The Progressive Corporation. The first woman named as Fortune Magazine's Businessperson of the Year in 2018. Patti S. Hart, Vice chairman of International Game Technology. She was named one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" in 1998 by Fortune magazine. Todd Heisler – photojournalist and winner of Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography Norbert Blei – author of the Chicago trilogy of Neighborhoods, The Ghost of Sandburg-Es Phizzog, and Chi Town. | Carol Moseley Braun (Former US Senator), Bernard Shaw (American Journalist), Bobby Rush (US representative), Justin Hartley (actor), Joanne McCarthy (baseball player), Adrian Smith (architect), Azhar Usman (Comedian), James Thompson (former governor Illinois). |
| City Life | Normal is said to be a safe-feeling, quiet place to walk around and live in. The FBI crime stats show normal with a crime rate one-half that of the US average, making Normal IL a safe place to live. For being among countless amenities and numerous attractions, the beautiful town of Normal is cheap and affordable for all that it offers. The cost of living score sits at 84.2 – nearly 16% below the state average. The areas in Normal are perceived to be the ideal mix of peaceful, family-friendly neighborhoods. Northeast Normal tends to be the most desirable due to the upper-income residential areas, whereas the northwest has the most affordable housing. | Chicago is the 3rd most populous city, 3rd largest gross metropolitan product and 2nd largest central business district in USA. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Home to several Fortune 500 companies (such as Boeing, McDonald's, Walgreens, Kraft Heinz, etc.). Famous landmarks include Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, Navy Pier, etc. The unemployment rate as high as 17.5% (April’ 2020). |
| Weather |
Illinois State University versus University of Illinois at Chicago
Topic Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
Illinois State University (ISU), established in 1857 in Normal, Illinois, is the state's oldest public university and best known for its robust Education, Nursing, Business, and Communication programs. It does not appear in major global rankings such as QS or THE, but is regionally ranked in the Midwest for teaching excellence and affordability. The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), however, is a top-ranked urban public research university that ranks among the world's top 300. In QS 2026, UIC is about 319, and in THE 2025, 301–350. UIC is ranked internationally for Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, Engineering, and Business.
General Information
Illinois State University has around 21,000 students, providing a traditional campus experience in a mid-sized college town with an emphasis on teaching and community involvement. UIC, in Chicago, has around 34,000 students and provides a metropolitan, research-oriented setting with proximity to industries, healthcare systems, and international opportunities. ISU provides a more traditional, intimate campus experience, while UIC focuses on urban involvement and research stature.
Acceptance Rate & Admission
Illinois State University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 81%, admitting students with a mean GPA of 3.4 and SAT scores of 1030–1220. UIC is slightly more selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 73%, admitting students with mean GPAs of 3.5–3.7 and SAT scores of 1120–1320. Competitive majors such as Nursing and Engineering at the two schools have lower admit rates.
Research Impact & Facilities
Illinois State is mostly a teaching institution, with applied research in education, agriculture, and health sciences. UIC is an R1 (high research activity) university, possessing world-class medical centers, the UIC College of Medicine, and leading-edge research in biomedicine, engineering, and public health. Its urban setting and high funding provide UIC with a significantly larger research base than ISU.
Cost & Financial Aid
At ISU, the cost of tuition is around $16,500 a year for in-state students and $27,000 for out-of-state students. UIC costs are likewise $17,600 for in-state students and $34,000 for out-of-state and foreign students. Both schools offer scholarships and assistance, although UIC has greater research assistantships and graduate support available, whereas ISU is particularly affordable for undergraduate students.
Graduate Studies & Research
ISU alumni are most successful in teaching, health care, communications, and business, with mid-career salaries ranging around $70,000 (INR 58 lakh). UIC alumni, on the other hand, tend to be employed in medicine, engineering, public policy, and business, with mid-career salaries more like $85,000 (INR 70 lakh). UIC's alumni base is strongest in medicine and Chicago-based businesses, whereas ISU's is most robust in education and public service throughout Illinois.
