Arkansas State University vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR with Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas State University is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (15,726 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Arkansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas State University 17:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

Arkansas State University vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or Southern Illinois University? 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 Arkansas State University than Southern Illinois University ($12,410 vs. $13,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas State University are 6.4% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($11,550 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 64.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas State University (about $5,244 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.9% higher at Arkansas State University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $1,188 more per year; $14,522.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas State University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Arkansas State University students ($13,610 vs. $13,395).

Arkansas State University vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or Southern Illinois University? 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 Southern Illinois University and Arkansas State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arkansas State University (1080) is 50 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming Arkansas State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Southern Illinois University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 970/1190; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 18/24; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; Southern Illinois University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Arkansas State University (82.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Arkansas State University vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

Arkansas State University vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University and Southern Illinois University? 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 Illinois University Carbondale's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Arkansas State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($201 vs. $232).
• More Arkansas State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 51%)

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.