Principia College vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Principia 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: Principia College 6:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 11.3% lower than at Principia College ($12,341 vs. $13,910).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.1% higher at Principia College than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $21,346 more per year; $34,680 vs. $13,334).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Principia College (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 123.4% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($30,402 vs. $13,610).

Admissions details

• Incoming Principia College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at Southern Illinois University (21).
• SAT or ACT scores are not reported at Principia College, test optional at Southern Illinois University.
• Enrolled first-year students at Principia College average a 3.34 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Southern Illinois University (3.24).

Loans and repayment

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.