Illinois State University Vs Millikin

Higher education is a valuable asset that should be appreciated and respected. If one is fortunate enough to enroll in college, there are many decisions that one needs to make. There are over 5,300 colleges and universities in the United States alone (Selingo, “How”). Choosing which college to attend is a major decision. Two prestigious colleges in the state of Illinois are Millikin University and Illinois State University (ISU). These colleges offer a variety of educational paths and student activities. However, they differ on many key points that could sway the decision. While both Millikin University and Illinois State University are reputable colleges, they vary greatly in their city size, cost, and the campus environment.

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Therefore, it is crucial that students are realistic about what they can afford and how much money they are willing to borrow. Millikin University is a private institution. Tuition, room, and board costs approximately $44,569 per year (“Cost”). Additionally, this price is not locked in, meaning that it may increase from year to year. In contrast, ISU is a public university. It costs approximately $28,930 per year for tuition, room, and board (“Cost of Attendance”). This price is locked in, so it will not increase from year to year. This is significantly less expensive than Millikin. When comparing these prices, students should also consider the financial aid and scholarships for which they might qualify. Among others, Millikin University offers a Leadership Scholarship, which is $2,000 per year, and Merit Scholarships, which vary from $10-20,000 per year. ISU often offers Redbird Academic Scholarships, which vary from $1-4,000 per year. Both schools offer a Presidential Scholarship, which covers the full cost of tuition. Students can consider that scholarships of higher value at Millikin might lower the annual price to be comparable to tuition at ISU. ISU is much cheaper at face value. However, Millikin offers more extensive scholarships. It is important to keep these numbers in mind when deciding upon a college. The cost of higher education is a heavy burden; students must

However, students who live on campus will experience considerable downtime when they are not working or attending classes. Additionally, college is often a time of self-discovery; students usually wish to become involved with campus life and meet people with similar interests. Therefore, it is important to consider the student life of a college. Incoming freshmen should think about whether they want to live in a big community or something smaller. For example, Millikin has a total enrollment of roughly 2,080 students (“Quick”). Meanwhile, ISU has an enrollment of 21,039 students (“Quick Facts”). Potential students should consider this huge difference and whether they would prefer a quieter environment or a more active community. Additionally, colleges usually offer various registered student organizations. This is a great way to meet fellow students and get involved in campus events. In correlation with their smaller student body, Millikin has approximately ninety registered student organizations. ISU has more than 400. Incoming college freshmen should consider whether they would prefer smaller or bigger communities. This personal preference will often influence the college decision. Usually, colleges also offer an honors program to high-achieving students. These programs allow students to design their own research projects, attend smaller classes, and “get to know and work with faculty members” (Fischer 108). Both