Southern Illinois University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 6,751 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Northeastern State University is in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Northeastern State University 16:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or NSU? 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 Northeastern State University than Southern Illinois University ($12,410 vs. $13,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern State University are 9.9% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($11,120 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 70.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $5,524 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at NSU than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $3,956 more per year; $17,290.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Northeastern State University (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 53% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($13,610 vs. $8,893).

Southern Illinois University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1030) is 30 points higher than at NSU (1000).
• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Northeastern State University 866/1136.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Northeastern State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 39% at NSU.

Southern Illinois University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and NSU? 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 Northeastern State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($18,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($186 vs. $232).
• More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 48%)

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.