CSU vs. EIU

Should I go to Chicago State University or Eastern Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or EIU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Chicago State University vs. Eastern Illinois University comparison
Chicago State University Eastern Illinois University College 3 College 4
Chicago State University Eastern Illinois University
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Overview

CSU EIU
Location Chicago, IL Charleston, IL
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 2,317 8,857
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #870 #672
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csu.edu eiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU EIU
Tuition (In State) $7,656 $9,709
Tuition (Out of State) $7,656 $12,136
Room & Board $13,800 $10,812
Avg Net Price $6,446 $13,380
Avg Grant Aid $15,891 $11,773
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

CSU EIU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,404 11,584
Admitted 3,592 7,873
Acceptance Rate 48.5% 68%
Enrolled % 4.8% 11.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.39
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/19
SAT Range 750/963 900/1120
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

CSU EIU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

CSU EIU
Graduation Rate 21% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,300 $43,500
Making Student Loan Payments 25% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,250 $23,650
Median Loan Payment $323 $244

Diversity

CSU EIU
% Men 33% 42%
% Women 67% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 3% 68%
% Black 75% 19%
% Hispanic 8% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 12% 2%

Students

CSU EIU
% In-State 77% 91%
% Out-of-State 20% 7%

Campus

CSU EIU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Illinois University is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (8,857 students vs. 2,317 students)

CSU vs. EIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or EIU?

  • Eastern Illinois University is 26.8% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($9,709.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 58.5% higher at EIU than Chicago State University ($12,136.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than EIU ($6,446 vs. $13,380)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 27.6% lower than costs at Chicago State University ($10,812 vs. $13,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than Chicago State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 35% larger than aid received Eastern Illinois University ($15,891 vs. $11,773)

CSU vs. EIU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or EIU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between EIU or CSU .

  • The average SAT score at Eastern Illinois University (1010) is 135 points higher than at CSU (875)
  • Incoming EIU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at CSU (18)
  • 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 (68%) than CSU (48.5%)

CSU vs. EIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or EIU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between EIU and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at EIU is higher than Chicago State University (59% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn on average $5,200 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $38,300)
  • Eastern Illinois University students graduate with a $7,600 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($23,650 vs. $31,250)
  • EIU graduates are paying $79 less per month on federal student loans 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/