Southern Illinois University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern ($13,473 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 32.7% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($8,300 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 22.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $2,410 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.1% higher at Southern Illinois University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $2,410 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 31.4% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($13,610 vs. $10,358).

Southern Illinois University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and Southern Illinois University.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1030) is 20 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at The University of Tennessee Southern (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Illinois University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than The University of Tennessee Southern (86.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

Southern Illinois University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $185 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($22,315 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($230 vs. $232).
• More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern 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.