Blackburn College vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL 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 Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

Blackburn College vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale than Blackburn College ($13,473 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 19.7% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($9,915 vs. $12,341).
• Blackburn College is 111.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Illinois University (about $14,815 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.1% higher at Blackburn College than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $14,815 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 43% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($19,456 vs. $13,610).

Blackburn College vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College 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 Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1030) is 20 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Southern Illinois University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Southern Illinois University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

Blackburn College vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College 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).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($232 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.