Southern Illinois University vs. Austin Peay State University

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

Southern Illinois University Austin Peay State University
Location Carbondale, IL Clarksville, TN
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 11,359 9,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #491 #922
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $7,008
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $12,552
Room & Board $12,114 $13,070
Avg Net Price $16,131 $14,679
Avg Grant Aid $12,408 $11,247
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 94%

Admission

Southern Illinois University Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,401 5,559
Admitted 9,407 5,334
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 96%
Enrolled % 17.2% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 18/23
SAT Range 910/1140 943/1165
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 4, 2026

Academics

Southern Illinois University Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 44% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $232 $232

Diversity

Southern Illinois University Austin Peay State University
% Men 13% 4%
% Women 15% 9%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 64% 63%
% Black 19% 20%
% Hispanic 8% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Southern Illinois University Austin Peay State University
% In-State 83% 87%
% Out-of-State 16% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than Austin Peay State University based on total student enrollment (11,359 students vs. 9,945 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 37.5% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.2% higher at Austin Peay State University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($12,552.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin Peay State University than Southern Illinois University ($14,679 vs. $16,131)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 7.9% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($12,114 vs. $13,070)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Austin Peay State University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 10.3% larger than aid received Austin Peay State University ($12,408 vs. $11,247)

Southern Illinois University vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or Austin Peay State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Austin Peay State University or Southern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 21 points higher than at Austin Peay State University (1011)
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Austin Peay State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Austin Peay State University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Southern Illinois University (90.4%)

Southern Illinois University vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or Austin Peay State 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 Austin Peay State University and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Austin Peay State University (44% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $10,400 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University and Southern Illinois University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($22,500 vs. $22,500)
  • Austin Peay State University and Southern Illinois University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($232 vs. $232)
  • More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 44%)

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