Principia College vs. SIUE

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1.

Principia College vs. SIUE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College or SIUE? 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 Edwardsville than Principia College ($17,115 vs. $18,248).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Principia College are 4% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($13,910 vs. $14,490).
• Principia College is 168.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $21,758 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 168.4% higher at Principia College than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $21,758 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than at Principia College (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 162% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($30,402 vs. $11,602).

Principia College vs. SIUE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia College or SIUE? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SIUE and Principia College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Principia College (1150) is 80 points higher than at SIUE (1070).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Principia College 1040/1250; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Principia College 19/23; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; SIUE - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SIUE students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. SIUE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College and SIUE? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate is 52%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Principia College.
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville have median earnings of about $47,000 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Principia College.

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.