EIU vs. Allen College

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with Allen College in Waterloo, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Allen College based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Allen College is in Waterloo, IA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Allen College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Allen College 8:1.

EIU vs. Allen College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or Allen College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Allen College are 28.4% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($8,800 vs. $12,282).
• Allen College is 42.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than EIU (about $5,837 more per year; $19,516.00 vs. $13,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Allen College than at Eastern Illinois University (about $3,299 more per year; $19,516.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at Allen College (95% vs. 0%).

EIU vs. Allen College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; Allen College - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: Allen College Feb 1, 2027.

EIU vs. Allen College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and Allen College? 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 Allen College's (50%).
• Graduates from Allen College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Allen College graduates have a $6,900 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($16,750 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, Allen College graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($173 vs. $244).
• More Allen College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 59%)

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.