EIU vs. University of St Francis

Should I go to Eastern Illinois University or University of St Francis? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if EIU or University of St Francis 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. University of St Francis comparison
Eastern Illinois University University of St Francis College 3 College 4
Eastern Illinois University University of St Francis
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Overview

EIU University of St Francis
Location Charleston, IL Joliet, IL
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 8,857 3,297
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #672 #339
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eiu.edu stfrancis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

EIU University of St Francis
Tuition (In State) $9,709 $36,000
Tuition (Out of State) $12,136 $36,000
Room & Board $10,812 $11,430
Avg Net Price $13,380 $18,560
Avg Grant Aid $11,773 $25,392
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

EIU University of St Francis
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,584 2,198
Admitted 7,873 1,284
Acceptance Rate 68% 58.4%
Enrolled % 11.1% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 21/30
SAT Range 900/1120 1030/1240
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

EIU University of St Francis
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Health Professions (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Psychology (3%)

Outcomes

EIU University of St Francis
Graduation Rate 59% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,500 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,650 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $244 $258

Diversity

EIU University of St Francis
% Men 42% 26%
% Women 58% 74%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 67%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 6% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

EIU University of St Francis
% In-State 91% 93%
% Out-of-State 7% 4%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Illinois University is larger than than University of St Francis based on total student enrollment (8,857 students vs. 3,297 students)

EIU vs. University of St Francis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or University of St Francis?

  • University of St Francis is 270.8% more expensive to attend than EIU for in-state tuition ($36,000.00 vs. $9,709.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 196.6% higher at University of St Francis than Eastern Illinois University ($36,000.00 vs. $12,136.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Illinois University than University of St Francis ($13,380 vs. $18,560)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 5.7% lower than costs at University of St Francis ($10,812 vs. $11,430)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University as University of St Francis (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 115.7% larger than aid received Eastern Illinois University ($25,392 vs. $11,773)

EIU vs. University of St Francis Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of St Francis (1069) is 59 points higher than at EIU (1010)
  • Incoming University of St Francis students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at EIU (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of St Francis students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at EIU (3.39)
  • EIU has a higher acceptance rate (68%) than University of St Francis (58.4%)

EIU vs. University of St Francis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EIU or University of St Francis? 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 University of St Francis and EIU.

  • The graduation rate at University of St Francis is higher than Eastern Illinois University (63% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from University of St Francis earn on average $7,100 more per year than EIU graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $43,500)
  • Eastern Illinois University students graduate with a $1,350 lower median federal student loan debt than University of St Francis graduates. ($23,650 vs. $25,000)
  • EIU graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than University of St Francis graduates. ($244 vs. $258)
  • More University of St Francis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 59%)

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