CSU vs. EIU

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Eastern Illinois University is in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Eastern Illinois University 14:1.

CSU vs. EIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or EIU? 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 Chicago State University than EIU ($10,441 vs. $13,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 6% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($11,550 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $925 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at EIU than at Chicago State University (about $3,463 more per year; $16,217.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Eastern Illinois University (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 40.4% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($18,194 vs. $12,960).

CSU vs. EIU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or EIU? 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 EIU and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Illinois University (990) is 130 points higher than at CSU (860).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963; Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; EIU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at CSU (3.18).
• EIU has a higher acceptance rate (65.3%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 9.8% at EIU.

CSU vs. EIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and EIU? 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $7,600 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($23,650 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($244 vs. $323).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 25%)

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.