EIU vs. Southern Illinois University

Should I go to Eastern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University Carbondale? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if EIU or Southern Illinois University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Eastern Illinois University vs. Southern Illinois University Carbondale comparison
Eastern Illinois University Southern Illinois University Carbondale College 3 College 4
Eastern Illinois University Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Overview

EIU Southern Illinois University
Location Charleston, IL Carbondale, IL
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 8,857 11,107
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #672 #467
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eiu.edu siuc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

EIU Southern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $9,709 $9,638
Tuition (Out of State) $12,136 $9,638
Room & Board $10,812 $10,622
Avg Net Price $13,380 $16,990
Avg Grant Aid $11,773 $11,269
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

EIU Southern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,584 9,771
Admitted 7,873 8,940
Acceptance Rate 68% 91.5%
Enrolled % 11.1% 17%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/27
SAT Range 900/1120 900/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

EIU Southern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

EIU Southern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 59% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,500 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,650 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $244 $232

Diversity

EIU Southern Illinois University
% Men 42% 49%
% Women 58% 51%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 64%
% Black 19% 19%
% Hispanic 6% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

EIU Southern Illinois University
% In-State 91% 81%
% Out-of-State 7% 17%

Campus

EIU Southern Illinois University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than EIU based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 8,857 students)

EIU vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or Southern Illinois University?

  • Eastern Illinois University is 0.7% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($9,709.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.9% higher at EIU than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($12,136.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Illinois University than Southern Illinois University ($13,380 vs. $16,990)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 1.8% lower than costs at Eastern Illinois University ($10,622 vs. $10,812)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 4.5% larger than aid received Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($11,773 vs. $11,269)

EIU vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or Southern Illinois University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southern Illinois University or EIU .

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 22 points higher than at EIU (1010)
  • Incoming EIU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Southern Illinois University (22)
  • Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than EIU (68%)

EIU vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EIU or Southern Illinois University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southern Illinois University and EIU.

  • The graduation rate at EIU is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (59% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $4,300 more per year than EIU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $43,500)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $1,150 lower median federal student loan debt than EIU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $23,650)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than EIU graduates. ($232 vs. $244)
  • More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/