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SIUE Northern Illinois ISU Southeast Missouri State University Illinois EIU WMU Western Illinois University GS Georgia State UIC University of Missouri-Columbia| Columbus State University | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Columbus State | Southern Illinois University | ||
| Location | Columbus, GA | Carbondale, IL | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 7,479 | 11,107 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #995 | #467 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | columbusstate.edu | siuc.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Columbus State | Southern Illinois University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,371 | $9,638 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,425 | $9,638 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,080 | $10,622 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,902 | $16,990 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,147 | $11,269 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 98% |
Admission |
Columbus State | Southern Illinois University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,870 | 9,771 | ||
| Admitted | 3,398 | 8,940 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 87.8% | 91.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 30.4% | 17% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.07 | 3.24 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 16/23 | 19/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 900/1130 | 900/1140 | ||
| 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 | Jun 30, 2025 |
Academics |
Columbus State | Southern Illinois University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Columbus State | Southern Illinois University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 31% | 44% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,400 | $47,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 37% | 51% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $22,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $232 |
Diversity |
Columbus State | Southern Illinois University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 40% | 49% | ||
| % Women | 60% | 51% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 51% | 64% | ||
| % Black | 37% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 0% |
Students |
Columbus State | Southern Illinois University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 92% | 81% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 17% | ||
Campus |
Columbus State | Southern Illinois University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 7,479 students)
Columbus State vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Southern Illinois University?
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 120.5% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $4,371.00)
- Out of state tuition is 60% higher at Columbus State than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($15,425.00 vs. $9,638.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than Southern Illinois University ($12,902 vs. $16,990)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 13.7% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($10,622 vs. $12,080)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University as Southern Illinois University Carbondale (98% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 23.2% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($11,269 vs. $9,147)
Columbus State vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or Southern Illinois University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southern Illinois University or Columbus State .
- The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 71 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
- Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Columbus State (20)
- Accepted freshman Southern Illinois University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
- Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Columbus State (87.8%)
Columbus State vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Columbus State or Southern Illinois University? 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 Southern Illinois University and Columbus State.
- The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Columbus State University (44% vs. 31%)
- Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $10,400 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $37,400)
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,000)
- Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($232 vs. $268)
- More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/