Henderson State University vs. Southern Illinois University

Should I go to Henderson State University or Southern Illinois University Carbondale? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Henderson State University 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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Henderson State University vs. Southern Illinois University Carbondale comparison
Henderson State University Southern Illinois University Carbondale College 3 College 4
Henderson State University Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Overview

Henderson State University Southern Illinois University
Location Arkadelphia, AR Carbondale, IL
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 2,519 11,107
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #976 #467
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hsu.edu siuc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Henderson State University Southern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $5,880 $9,638
Tuition (Out of State) $8,088 $9,638
Room & Board $9,558 $10,622
Avg Net Price $17,656 $16,990
Avg Grant Aid $9,580 $11,269
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 98%

Admission

Henderson State University Southern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,345 9,771
Admitted 1,657 8,940
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 91.5%
Enrolled % 24.9% 17%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.24
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/21 19/27
SAT Range 903/1073 900/1140
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Henderson State University Southern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Henderson State University Southern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 31% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $201 $232

Diversity

Henderson State University Southern Illinois University
% Men 40% 49%
% Women 60% 51%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 66% 64%
% Black 24% 19%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Henderson State University Southern Illinois University
% In-State 81% 81%
% Out-of-State 19% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than Henderson State University based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 2,519 students)

Henderson State University vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Henderson State University or Southern Illinois University?

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 63.9% more expensive to attend than Henderson State University for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $5,880.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 19.2% higher at Southern Illinois University than Henderson State University ($9,638.00 vs. $8,088.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than Henderson State University ($16,990 vs. $17,656)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Henderson State University are 11.1% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($9,558 vs. $10,622)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than Henderson State University (98% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 17.6% larger than aid received Henderson State University ($11,269 vs. $9,580)

Henderson State University vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Henderson State University 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 Henderson State University .

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 44 points higher than at Henderson State University (988)
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Henderson State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Illinois University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Henderson State University (3.23)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Henderson State University (70.7%)

Henderson State University vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Henderson State University 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 Henderson State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Henderson State University (44% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $9,400 more per year than Henderson State University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $38,400)
  • Henderson State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($19,500 vs. $22,500)
  • Henderson State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($201 vs. $232)
  • More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Henderson State University students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 48%)

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