ATU vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than ATU based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 8,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Arkansas Tech 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 Tech University 17:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

ATU vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU 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 Tech University than Southern Illinois University ($12,626 vs. $13,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 16.2% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,338 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 53.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $4,660 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at ATU than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $1,334 more per year; $14,668.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Arkansas Tech University (95% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 37.5% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($13,610 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU 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 ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1030) is 40 points higher than at ATU (990).
• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ATU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; Southern Illinois University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

ATU vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU 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 Tech University's (43%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($17,750 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($183 vs. $232).
• More ATU 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.