Southern Illinois University vs. Marshall University

Should I go to Southern Illinois University Carbondale or Marshall University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Illinois University or Marshall University 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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Southern Illinois University Carbondale vs. Marshall University comparison
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Marshall University College 3 College 4
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Marshall University
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Overview

Southern Illinois University Marshall University
Location Carbondale, IL Huntington, WV
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 11,359 11,027
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #491 #825
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu marshall.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University Marshall University
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $7,372
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $18,724
Room & Board $12,114 $12,852
Avg Net Price $16,131 $9,734
Avg Grant Aid $12,408 $12,024
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 96%

Admission

Southern Illinois University Marshall University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,401 6,499
Admitted 9,407 6,269
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 96.5%
Enrolled % 17.2% 27.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.68
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 18/24
SAT Range 910/1140 890/1130
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 10, 2026

Academics

Southern Illinois University Marshall University
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 (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University Marshall University
Graduation Rate 44% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $23,134
Median Loan Payment $232 $239

Diversity

Southern Illinois University Marshall University
% Men 13% 9%
% Women 15% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 84%
% Black 19% 7%
% Hispanic 8% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Illinois University Marshall University
% In-State 83% 78%
% Out-of-State 16% 22%

Campus

Southern Illinois University Marshall University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than Marshall University based on total student enrollment (11,359 students vs. 11,027 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 30.7% more expensive to attend than Marshall University for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $7,372.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 94.3% higher at Marshall University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($18,724.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marshall University than Southern Illinois University ($9,734 vs. $16,131)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 6.1% lower than costs at Marshall University ($12,114 vs. $12,852)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marshall University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (96% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 3.2% larger than aid received Marshall University ($12,408 vs. $12,024)

Southern Illinois University vs. Marshall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 4 points higher than at Marshall University (1028)
  • Incoming Marshall University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Illinois University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Southern Illinois University (90.4%)

Southern Illinois University vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is the same as at Marshall University (44% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $7,600 more per year than Marshall University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $40,200)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $634 lower median federal student loan debt than Marshall University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $23,134)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than Marshall University graduates. ($232 vs. $239)
  • More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/