Illinois College vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL with Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

Illinois College vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College or Southern Illinois 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale than Illinois College ($13,473 vs. $17,375).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois College are 2.6% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($12,026 vs. $12,341).
• Illinois College is 190.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Illinois University (about $25,342 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190.1% higher at Illinois College than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $25,342 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 132.2% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($31,609 vs. $13,610).

Illinois College vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois College or Southern Illinois 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 Southern Illinois University and Illinois College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois College (1030) is the same as at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming Illinois College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; Southern Illinois University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Illinois College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

Illinois College vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College and Southern Illinois 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).

• Illinois College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Illinois College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 51%)

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.