Southern Illinois University vs. Eastern

Should I go to Southern Illinois University Carbondale or Eastern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Illinois University or Eastern 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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SIUE Northern Illinois WKU ISU Southeast Missouri State University Illinois EIU NKU WMU Western Illinois University Kentucky UIC
Southern Illinois University Carbondale vs. Eastern Kentucky University comparison
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Eastern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Eastern Kentucky University
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Overview

Southern Illinois University Eastern
Location Carbondale, IL Richmond, KY
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 11,359 15,008
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #491 #873
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu eku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University Eastern
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $9,830
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $20,520
Room & Board $12,114 $11,735
Avg Net Price $16,131 $10,852
Avg Grant Aid $12,408 $11,460
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 98%

Admission

Southern Illinois University Eastern
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,401 17,082
Admitted 9,407 13,340
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 78.1%
Enrolled % 17.2% 20.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.39
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 17/24
SAT Range 910/1140 930/1190
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 1, 2026

Academics

Southern Illinois University Eastern
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%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University Eastern
Graduation Rate 44% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $23,695
Median Loan Payment $232 $245

Diversity

Southern Illinois University Eastern
% Men 13% 4%
% Women 15% 11%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 85%
% Black 19% 6%
% Hispanic 8% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Illinois University Eastern
% In-State 83% 92%
% Out-of-State 16% 8%

Campus

Southern Illinois University Eastern
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

  • Eastern Kentucky University is larger than than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (15,008 students vs. 11,359 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. Eastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or Eastern?

  • Eastern Kentucky University is 2% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($9,830.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 112.9% higher at Eastern than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($20,520.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Kentucky University than Southern Illinois University ($10,852 vs. $16,131)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 3.2% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($11,735 vs. $12,114)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 8.3% larger than aid received Eastern Kentucky University ($12,408 vs. $11,460)

Southern Illinois University vs. Eastern Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 4 points higher than at Eastern (1028)
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Eastern (22)
  • 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 (90.4%) than Eastern (78.1%)

Southern Illinois University vs. Eastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or Eastern? 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 Eastern and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Eastern Kentucky University (44% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $9,900 more per year than Eastern graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $1,195 lower median federal student loan debt than Eastern graduates. ($22,500 vs. $23,695)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans 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/