EIU vs. Fayetteville State University

Deciding between Eastern Illinois University and Fayetteville State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Eastern Illinois University
Fayetteville State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • EIU Charleston, IL
  • Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC
  • Setting
  • EIU Remote Town
  • Fayetteville State University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • EIU 8,505
  • Fayetteville State University 7,107
  • Type
  • EIU Public 4 Year
  • Fayetteville State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • EIU #688
  • Fayetteville State University #995
  • Religious Affiliation
  • EIU -
  • Fayetteville State University -
  • Status
  • EIU Non-profit
  • Fayetteville State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • EIU
  • Fayetteville State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • EIU $13,679
  • Fayetteville State University $4,353
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • EIU $16,217
  • Fayetteville State University $8,353
  • Room & Board
  • EIU $12,282
  • Fayetteville State University $11,449
  • Average Net Price
  • EIU $13,787
  • Fayetteville State University $7,811
  • Average Grant Aid
  • EIU $12,960
  • Fayetteville State University $8,777
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • EIU 95%
  • Fayetteville State University 90%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • EIU 12,539
  • Fayetteville State University 6,515
  • Admitted
  • EIU 8,194
  • Fayetteville State University 5,352
  • Acceptance Rate
  • EIU 65.3%
  • Fayetteville State University 82.1%
  • Enrolled
  • EIU 9.8%
  • Fayetteville State University 14.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • EIU 990
  • Fayetteville State University 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • EIU
  • Fayetteville State University 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • EIU 3.39
  • Fayetteville State University 3.11
  • Typical High School Grades
  • EIU B+
  • Fayetteville State University B
  • Admissions Standards
  • EIU Extremely Easy
  • Fayetteville State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • EIU Low
  • Fayetteville State University
  • ACT Range
  • EIU
  • Fayetteville State University 15/19
  • SAT Range
  • EIU 880/1090
  • Fayetteville State University 890/1090
  • Submit Test Scores
  • EIU Test optional
  • Fayetteville State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • EIU
  • Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • EIU 14:1
  • Fayetteville State University 20:1
  • Popular Majors
  • EIU
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Fayetteville State University
    • Business (20%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (18%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Psychology (14%)
    • Education (11%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • EIU 59%
  • Fayetteville State University 31%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • EIU $43,500
  • Fayetteville State University $32,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • EIU 59%
  • Fayetteville State University 28%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • EIU $23,650
  • Fayetteville State University $22,161
  • Median Loan Payment
  • EIU $244
  • Fayetteville State University $229
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • EIU 43%
  • Fayetteville State University 32%
  • % Women
  • EIU 57%
  • Fayetteville State University 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • EIU Medium
  • Fayetteville State University Medium
  • HBCU
  • EIU No
  • Fayetteville State University Yes
  • % White
  • EIU 68%
  • Fayetteville State University 19%
  • % Asian
  • EIU 1%
  • Fayetteville State University 1%
  • % Black
  • EIU 19%
  • Fayetteville State University 64%
  • % Hispanic
  • EIU 6%
  • Fayetteville State University 6%
  • % Native American
  • EIU 0%
  • Fayetteville State University 3%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • EIU 0%
  • Fayetteville State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • EIU 2%
  • Fayetteville State University 0%
  • % International
  • EIU 1%
  • Fayetteville State University 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • EIU 2%
  • Fayetteville State University 6%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • EIU 90%
  • Fayetteville State University 75%
  • % Out-of-State
  • EIU 7%
  • Fayetteville State University 21%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • EIU Yes
  • Fayetteville State University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • EIU No
  • Fayetteville State University No
  • Meal Plan
  • EIU Yes
  • Fayetteville State University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • EIU Yes
  • Fayetteville State University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • EIU No
  • Fayetteville State University Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Fayetteville State University based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 7,107 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Fayetteville State University is in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting).
  • Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fayetteville State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Fayetteville State University 20:1.

EIU vs. Fayetteville State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or Fayetteville State 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 Fayetteville State University than EIU ($7,811 vs. $13,787).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fayetteville State University are 6.8% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($11,449 vs. $12,282).
  • Eastern Illinois University is 214.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fayetteville State University (about $9,326 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $4,353.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 94.1% higher at EIU than at Fayetteville State University (about $7,864 more per year; $16,217.00 vs. $8,353.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at Fayetteville State University (95% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 47.7% larger than aid received by Fayetteville State University students ($12,960 vs. $8,777).

EIU vs. Fayetteville State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or Fayetteville State 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 Fayetteville State University and EIU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Illinois University (990) is the same as at Fayetteville State University (990).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Fayetteville State University 890/1090.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFayetteville State University 15/19.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; Fayetteville State University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Fayetteville State University (3.11).
  • Fayetteville State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than EIU (65.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 14.8% at Fayetteville State University.

EIU vs. Fayetteville State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and Fayetteville State 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).

  • Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Fayetteville State University's (31%).
  • Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Fayetteville State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fayetteville State University graduates have a $1,489 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($22,161 vs. $23,650).
  • Among borrowers, Fayetteville State University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($229 vs. $244).
  • More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fayetteville State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 28%)

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.