Southern Illinois University vs. IU Northwest

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Indiana University Northwest is in Gary, IN (Small City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Indiana University Northwest 15:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. IU Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or IU Northwest? 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 Indiana University Northwest than Southern Illinois University ($5,745 vs. $13,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 11.1% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,972 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 58.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $4,910 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.1% higher at IU Northwest than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $9,477 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Indiana University Northwest (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 63.4% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($13,610 vs. $8,327).

Southern Illinois University vs. IU Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Northwest (1050) is 20 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming IU Northwest 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; Indiana University Northwest 910/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Indiana University Northwest 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; IU Northwest - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Southern Illinois University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 23.5% at IU Northwest.

Southern Illinois University vs. IU Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and IU Northwest? 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 Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $2,530 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 33%)

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.