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SIUE Northern Illinois Kentucky ISU University of Toledo Southeast Missouri State University Illinois EIU Eastern WMU Western Illinois University Murray State University| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Southern Illinois University | NKU | ||
| Location | Carbondale, IL | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Rural Fringe | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 11,359 | 14,961 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #491 | #912 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | siuc.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Southern Illinois University | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,638 | $10,512 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,638 | $21,096 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,114 | $11,660 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $16,131 | $8,151 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $12,408 | $11,492 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 93% | 98% |
Admission |
Southern Illinois University | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 10,401 | 6,417 | ||
| Admitted | 9,407 | 6,162 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 90.4% | 96% | ||
| Enrolled % | 17.2% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.24 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 20/27 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 910/1140 | 916/1133 | ||
| 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 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Southern Illinois University | NKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Southern Illinois University | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 44% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,800 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 51% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,500 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $232 | $257 |
Diversity |
Southern Illinois University | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 13% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 15% | 24% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 64% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 19% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
Southern Illinois University | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 83% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 16% | 28% | ||
Campus |
Southern Illinois University | NKU | ||
| 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
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 11,359 students)
Southern Illinois University vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or NKU?
- Northern Kentucky University is 9.1% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $9,638.00)
- Out of state tuition is 118.9% higher at NKU than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($21,096.00 vs. $9,638.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Southern Illinois University ($8,151 vs. $16,131)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 3.9% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($11,660 vs. $12,114)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (98% vs. 93%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 8% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($12,408 vs. $11,492)
Southern Illinois University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or Southern Illinois University .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 36 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1032)
- Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Illinois University (22)
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Southern Illinois University (90.4%)
Southern Illinois University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Southern Illinois University or NKU? 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 NKU and Southern Illinois University.
- The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (44% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $8,100 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $39,700)
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $2,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,950)
- Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($232 vs. $257)
- More NKU 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/