Southern Illinois University vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or CSUMB? 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 CSUMB ($13,473 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 28.4% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($12,341 vs. $17,234).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 71.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $5,555 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.8% higher at CSUMB than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $7,045 more per year; $20,379.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at California State University Monterey Bay (95% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 11.7% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($13,610 vs. $12,185).

Southern Illinois University vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 30 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Southern Illinois University vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and CSUMB? 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).

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($14,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($144 vs. $232).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.