Southern Illinois University vs. PennWest California

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

Southern Illinois University PennWest California
Location Carbondale, IL California, PA
Setting Rural Fringe Town Fringe
Enrollment 11,107 6,509
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #467 #1033
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu calu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University PennWest California
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $11,574
Room & Board $10,622 $10,416
Avg Net Price $16,990 -
Avg Grant Aid $11,269 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 0%

Admission

Southern Illinois University PennWest California
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,771 -
Admitted 8,940 -
Acceptance Rate 91.5%
Enrolled % 17%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.31
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27 18/24
SAT Range 900/1140 940/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2025

Academics

Southern Illinois University PennWest California
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University PennWest California
Graduation Rate 44% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $258

Diversity

Southern Illinois University PennWest California
% Men 49% 39%
% Women 51% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 77%
% Black 19% 12%
% Hispanic 8% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Southern Illinois University PennWest California
% In-State 81% 86%
% Out-of-State 17% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than PennWest California based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 6,509 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or PennWest California?

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 24.9% more expensive to attend than PennWest California for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.1% higher at PennWest California than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($11,574.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 2% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,416 vs. $10,622)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than PennWest California (98% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($11,269 vs. $0)

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 110 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at PennWest California (20)
  • Accepted freshman PennWest California students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)

Southern Illinois University vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or PennWest California? 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 PennWest California and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (53% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $5,300 more per year than PennWest California graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $42,500)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($22,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($232 vs. $258)
  • More PennWest California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 51%)

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