EIU vs. GSU- Grambling

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Illinois University is larger than GSU- Grambling based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 5,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Grambling State University is in Grambling, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Grambling State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Grambling State University 25:1.

EIU vs. GSU- Grambling Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or GSU- Grambling? 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 Eastern Illinois University than GSU- Grambling ($13,787 vs. $17,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grambling State University are 10.5% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($10,990 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 78% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU- Grambling (about $5,996 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $7,683.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at GSU- Grambling than at Eastern Illinois University (about $489 more per year; $16,706.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University as at Grambling State University (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 46.1% larger than aid received by Grambling State University students ($12,960 vs. $8,870).

EIU vs. GSU- Grambling Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or GSU- Grambling? 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 GSU- Grambling and EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grambling State University (1000) is 10 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Grambling State University 920/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGrambling State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; GSU- Grambling - Required.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at GSU- Grambling (3.01).
• EIU has a higher acceptance rate (65.3%) than GSU- Grambling (44.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 18% at GSU- Grambling.

EIU vs. GSU- Grambling Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and GSU- Grambling? 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 Grambling State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than GSU- Grambling graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $32,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $14,347 lower median loan debt than GSU- Grambling graduates ($23,650 vs. $37,997).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $148 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU- Grambling graduates ($244 vs. $392).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU- Grambling students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 23%)

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.