Southern Illinois University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD 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. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Northern State University 19:1.

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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale than NSU ($13,473 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 14.1% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,600 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 50.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $4,489 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at Southern Illinois University than at Northern State University (about $1,387 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 111.3% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($13,610 vs. $6,441).

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 Northern State University (1070) is 40 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 35.2% 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 Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $1,899 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($232 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

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.