Southern Illinois University vs. Marshall University

Deciding between Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Marshall University? 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
Marshall University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL
  • Marshall University Huntington, WV
  • Setting
  • Southern Illinois University Rural Fringe
  • Marshall University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Southern Illinois University 11,790
  • Marshall University 11,958
  • Type
  • Southern Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • Marshall University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Southern Illinois University #537
  • Marshall University #868
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Southern Illinois University -
  • Marshall University -
  • Status
  • Southern Illinois University Non-profit
  • Marshall University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Southern Illinois University
  • Marshall University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Southern Illinois University $13,334
  • Marshall University $9,162
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Southern Illinois University $13,334
  • Marshall University $20,342
  • Room & Board
  • Southern Illinois University $12,341
  • Marshall University $13,292
  • Average Net Price
  • Southern Illinois University $13,473
  • Marshall University $8,076
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Southern Illinois University $13,610
  • Marshall University $13,448
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Southern Illinois University 95%
  • Marshall University 97%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Southern Illinois University 10,858
  • Marshall University 6,816
  • Admitted
  • Southern Illinois University 9,433
  • Marshall University 6,525
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Southern Illinois University 86.9%
  • Marshall University 95.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Southern Illinois University 18.6%
  • Marshall University 28.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Southern Illinois University 1030
  • Marshall University 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • Southern Illinois University 21
  • Marshall University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Southern Illinois University 3.24
  • Marshall University 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Southern Illinois University B+
  • Marshall University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Southern Illinois University Easy
  • Marshall University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Southern Illinois University
  • Marshall University
  • ACT Range
  • Southern Illinois University 18/25
  • Marshall University 19/24
  • SAT Range
  • Southern Illinois University 900/1160
  • Marshall University 910/1150
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Southern Illinois University Test optional
  • Marshall University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Southern Illinois University
  • Marshall University Aug 10, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Southern Illinois University 11:1
  • Marshall University 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Southern Illinois University
    • Education (20%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Marshall University
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

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

  • % Men
  • Southern Illinois University 47%
  • Marshall University 41%
  • % Women
  • Southern Illinois University 53%
  • Marshall University 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Southern Illinois University Medium
  • Marshall University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Southern Illinois University No
  • Marshall University No
  • % White
  • Southern Illinois University 64%
  • Marshall University 84%
  • % Asian
  • Southern Illinois University 2%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • % Black
  • Southern Illinois University 19%
  • Marshall University 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Southern Illinois University 8%
  • Marshall University 2%
  • % Native American
  • Southern Illinois University 0%
  • Marshall University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Southern Illinois University 0%
  • Marshall University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Southern Illinois University 3%
  • Marshall University 3%
  • % International
  • Southern Illinois University 4%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Southern Illinois University 0%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Southern Illinois University 85%
  • Marshall University 76%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Southern Illinois University 14%
  • Marshall University 23%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Marshall University in Huntington, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Marshall University is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (11,958 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Marshall University is in Huntington, WV (Small City setting).
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Marshall University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Marshall University 16:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or Marshall University? 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 Marshall University than Southern Illinois University ($8,076 vs. $13,473).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 7.2% lower than at Marshall University ($12,341 vs. $13,292).
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 45.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marshall University (about $4,172 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $9,162.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 52.6% higher at Marshall University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $7,008 more per year; $20,342.00 vs. $13,334.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marshall University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (97% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Marshall University students ($13,610 vs. $13,448).

Southern Illinois University vs. Marshall University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1030) is the same as at Marshall University (1030).
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Marshall University (21).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Marshall University 910/1150.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Marshall University 19/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; Marshall University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Marshall University Aug 10, 2027.
  • 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 (95.7%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 28.1% at Marshall University.

Southern Illinois University vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is the same as at Marshall University (44% vs. 44%).
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Marshall University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $634 lower median loan debt than Marshall University graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,134).
  • Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.