Southern Illinois University vs. IU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Indiana University Bloomington in Bloomington, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Indiana University Bloomington is in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Indiana University Bloomington 18:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. IU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or IU? 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 IU ($13,473 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 11.7% lower than at Indiana University Bloomington ($12,341 vs. $13,984).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 9.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU (about $1,190 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $12,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 214.2% higher at IU than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $28,557 more per year; $41,891.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Indiana University Bloomington (95% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($13,610 vs. $10,487).

Southern Illinois University vs. IU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Bloomington (1290) is 260 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming IU students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Indiana University Bloomington 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; IU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than IU (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 18.2% at IU.

Southern Illinois University vs. IU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Indiana University Bloomington's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Bloomington and Southern Illinois University graduates have the same median loan debt ($22,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Indiana University Bloomington and Southern Illinois University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($232 vs. $232).
• More IU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.