Southern Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS

Should I go to Southern Illinois University Carbondale or Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Illinois University or CMU - CLAS 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. Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences comparison
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences College 3 College 4
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Overview

Southern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Location Carbondale, IL Fayette, MO
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 11,107 1,080
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #467 #781
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu centralmethodist.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $26,360
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $26,360
Room & Board $10,622 $8,910
Avg Net Price $16,990 $24,828
Avg Grant Aid $11,269 $18,044
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Southern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,771 1,166
Admitted 8,940 1,141
Acceptance Rate 91.5% 97.9%
Enrolled % 17% 25.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27 18/23
SAT Range 900/1140 930/1090
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 15, 2025

Academics

Southern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Graduation Rate 44% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $16,875
Median Loan Payment $232 $174

Diversity

Southern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
% Men 49% 48%
% Women 51% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 78%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 8% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

Southern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
% In-State 81% 59%
% Out-of-State 17% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than CMU - CLAS based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 1,080 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or CMU - CLAS?

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is 173.5% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($26,360.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 173.5% higher at CMU - CLAS than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($26,360.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than CMU - CLAS ($16,990 vs. $24,828)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 19.2% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($8,910 vs. $10,622)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students is 60.1% larger than aid received Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($18,044 vs. $11,269)

Southern Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (1043) is 11 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1032)
  • Incoming CMU - CLAS students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Illinois University (22)
  • Accepted freshman CMU - CLAS students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • CMU - CLAS has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Southern Illinois University (91.5%)

Southern Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or CMU - CLAS? 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 CMU - CLAS and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (44% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $9,200 more per year than CMU - CLAS graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $38,600)
  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students graduate with a $5,625 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($16,875 vs. $22,500)
  • CMU - CLAS graduates are paying $58 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($174 vs. $232)
  • More CMU - CLAS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

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