Southern Illinois University vs. Eastern

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Eastern Kentucky University is in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Eastern Kentucky University 17:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. Eastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or Eastern? 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 Eastern Kentucky University than Southern Illinois University ($12,279 vs. $13,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 0.6% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($12,268 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 29.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $3,014 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.2% higher at Eastern than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $7,896 more per year; $21,230.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($13,610 vs. $11,468).

Southern Illinois University vs. Eastern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1030) is 50 points higher than at Eastern (980).
• Incoming Eastern students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Eastern Kentucky University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; Eastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Eastern students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Eastern (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 19.9% at Eastern.

Southern Illinois University vs. Eastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and Eastern? 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 Eastern Kentucky University's (38%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Eastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $1,195 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($232 vs. $245).
• More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 49%)

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.