ISU vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

ISU vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 ISU ($13,473 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 4.8% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($11,754 vs. $12,341).
• Illinois State University is 21.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Illinois University (about $2,810 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.6% higher at ISU than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $14,876 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($13,610 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 70 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming ISU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Southern Illinois University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

ISU vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($22,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($227 vs. $232).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.