EIU vs. Lakeland University

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with Lakeland University in Plymouth, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Lakeland University based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 2,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Lakeland University is in Plymouth, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lakeland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Lakeland University 12:1.

EIU vs. Lakeland University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or Lakeland 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 Eastern Illinois University than Lakeland University ($13,787 vs. $24,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lakeland University are 1.2% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($12,140 vs. $12,282).
• Lakeland University is 144.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than EIU (about $19,717 more per year; $33,396.00 vs. $13,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.9% higher at Lakeland University than at Eastern Illinois University (about $17,179 more per year; $33,396.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lakeland University than at Eastern Illinois University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lakeland University students is 89.5% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($24,559 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. Lakeland University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or Lakeland 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 Lakeland University 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; Lakeland University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Lakeland University (3.0).
• Lakeland University has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 16.1% at Lakeland University.

EIU vs. Lakeland University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and Lakeland 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 Lakeland University's (42%).
• Graduates from Lakeland University earn a median of about $500 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $1,808 lower median loan debt than Lakeland University graduates ($23,650 vs. $25,458).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lakeland University graduates ($244 vs. $263).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lakeland University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

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.