Southern Illinois University vs. IUPUI

Deciding between Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Indiana University Indianapolis? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Indiana University Indianapolis

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL
  • IUPUI Indianapolis, IN
  • Setting
  • Southern Illinois University Rural Fringe
  • IUPUI Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Southern Illinois University 11,790
  • IUPUI 22,534
  • Type
  • Southern Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • IUPUI Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Southern Illinois University #537
  • IUPUI #409
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Southern Illinois University -
  • IUPUI -
  • Status
  • Southern Illinois University Non-profit
  • IUPUI Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Southern Illinois University
  • IUPUI
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Southern Illinois University $13,334
  • IUPUI $10,762
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Southern Illinois University $13,334
  • IUPUI $34,891
  • Room & Board
  • Southern Illinois University $12,341
  • IUPUI $13,308
  • Average Net Price
  • Southern Illinois University $13,473
  • IUPUI $12,228
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Southern Illinois University $13,610
  • IUPUI $11,104
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Southern Illinois University 95%
  • IUPUI 82%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Southern Illinois University 10,858
  • IUPUI 15,643
  • Admitted
  • Southern Illinois University 9,433
  • IUPUI 11,947
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Southern Illinois University 86.9%
  • IUPUI 76.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Southern Illinois University 18.6%
  • IUPUI 24.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Southern Illinois University 1030
  • IUPUI 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • Southern Illinois University 21
  • IUPUI 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • Southern Illinois University 3.24
  • IUPUI 3.52
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Southern Illinois University B+
  • IUPUI A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Southern Illinois University Easy
  • IUPUI Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Southern Illinois University
  • IUPUI
  • ACT Range
  • Southern Illinois University 18/25
  • IUPUI 21/29
  • SAT Range
  • Southern Illinois University 900/1160
  • IUPUI 1030/1240
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Southern Illinois University Test optional
  • IUPUI Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Southern Illinois University
  • IUPUI May 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Southern Illinois University 11:1
  • IUPUI 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Southern Illinois University
    • Education (20%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • IUPUI
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Southern Illinois University 44%
  • IUPUI 33%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Southern Illinois University $47,800
  • IUPUI $48,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Southern Illinois University 51%
  • IUPUI 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Southern Illinois University $22,500
  • IUPUI $23,090
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Southern Illinois University $232
  • IUPUI $238
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Southern Illinois University 47%
  • IUPUI 35%
  • % Women
  • Southern Illinois University 53%
  • IUPUI 65%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Southern Illinois University Medium
  • IUPUI Medium
  • HBCU
  • Southern Illinois University No
  • IUPUI No
  • % White
  • Southern Illinois University 64%
  • IUPUI 72%
  • % Asian
  • Southern Illinois University 2%
  • IUPUI 4%
  • % Black
  • Southern Illinois University 19%
  • IUPUI 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • Southern Illinois University 8%
  • IUPUI 6%
  • % Native American
  • Southern Illinois University 0%
  • IUPUI 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Southern Illinois University 0%
  • IUPUI 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Southern Illinois University 3%
  • IUPUI 4%
  • % International
  • Southern Illinois University 4%
  • IUPUI 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Southern Illinois University 0%
  • IUPUI 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Southern Illinois University 85%
  • IUPUI 94%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Southern Illinois University 14%
  • IUPUI 4%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Southern Illinois University Yes
  • IUPUI Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Southern Illinois University No
  • IUPUI No
  • Meal Plan
  • Southern Illinois University Yes
  • IUPUI Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Southern Illinois University Yes
  • IUPUI Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Southern Illinois University Yes
  • IUPUI Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Indianapolis is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (22,534 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 Indianapolis is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Indianapolis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Indiana University Indianapolis 13:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. IUPUI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or IUPUI? 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 Indianapolis than Southern Illinois University ($12,228 vs. $13,473).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 7.3% lower than at Indiana University Indianapolis ($12,341 vs. $13,308).
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 23.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than IUPUI (about $2,572 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $10,762.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 161.7% higher at IUPUI than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $21,557 more per year; $34,891.00 vs. $13,334.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Indiana University Indianapolis (95% vs. 82%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 22.6% larger than aid received by Indiana University Indianapolis students ($13,610 vs. $11,104).

Southern Illinois University vs. IUPUI Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Indianapolis (1140) is 110 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
  • Incoming IUPUI students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 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 Indianapolis 1030/1240.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Indiana University Indianapolis 21/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; IUPUI - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: IUPUI May 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman IUPUI students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than IUPUI (76.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 24.6% at IUPUI.

Southern Illinois University vs. IUPUI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and IUPUI? 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 Indianapolis's (33%).
  • Graduates from Indiana University Indianapolis earn a median of about $800 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $590 lower median loan debt than IUPUI graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,090).
  • Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IUPUI graduates ($232 vs. $238).
  • More IUPUI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.