EIU vs. OC Comets

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with The University of Olivet in Olivet, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

EIU vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or OC Comets? 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 OC Comets ($13,787 vs. $19,362).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 2.3% lower than at The University of Olivet ($12,282 vs. $12,567).
• The University of Olivet is 149.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than EIU (about $20,389 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $13,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.1% higher at OC Comets than at Eastern Illinois University (about $17,851 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Olivet than at Eastern Illinois University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 115% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($27,858 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. OC Comets Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or OC Comets? 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 OC Comets and EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Olivet (1020) is 30 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; The University of Olivet 910/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of Olivet 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; OC Comets - Test-free.
• OC Comets has a higher acceptance rate (83.2%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

EIU vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and OC Comets? 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 The University of Olivet's (46%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than OC Comets graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $3,350 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($23,650 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC Comets students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 53%)

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.