Southern Illinois University vs. Oakland City University

Should I go to Southern Illinois University Carbondale or Oakland City University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Illinois University or Oakland City University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale vs. Oakland City University comparison
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Oakland City University College 3 College 4
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Overview

Southern Illinois University Oakland City University
Location Carbondale, IL Oakland City, IN
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 11,359 650
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #491
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu oak.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University Oakland City University
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $27,150
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $27,150
Room & Board $12,114 $10,610
Avg Net Price $16,131 $12,268
Avg Grant Aid $12,408 $27,244
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 88%

Admission

Southern Illinois University Oakland City University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,401 626
Admitted 9,407 427
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 68.2%
Enrolled % 17.2% 29.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.29
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 17/23
SAT Range 910/1140 850/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Southern Illinois University Oakland City University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (30%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (23%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Agriculture (4%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University Oakland City University
Graduation Rate 44% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $36,400
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $20,200
Median Loan Payment $232 $208

Diversity

Southern Illinois University Oakland City University
% Men 13% 9%
% Women 15% 10%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 64% 70%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 8% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 14%

Students

Southern Illinois University Oakland City University
% In-State 83% 64%
% Out-of-State 16% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than Oakland City University based on total student enrollment (11,359 students vs. 650 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. Oakland City University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or Oakland City University?

  • Oakland City University is 181.7% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($27,150.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 181.7% higher at Oakland City University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($27,150.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Oakland City University than Southern Illinois University ($12,268 vs. $16,131)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland City University are 14.2% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,610 vs. $12,114)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than Oakland City University (93% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland City University students is 119.6% larger than aid received Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($27,244 vs. $12,408)

Southern Illinois University vs. Oakland City University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or Oakland City University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Oakland City University or Southern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 107 points higher than at Oakland City University (925)
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Oakland City University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Oakland City University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Oakland City University (68.2%)

Southern Illinois University vs. Oakland City University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or Oakland City University? 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 Oakland City University and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Oakland City University is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (64% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $11,400 more per year than Oakland City University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $36,400)
  • Oakland City University students graduate with a $2,300 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($20,200 vs. $22,500)
  • Oakland City University graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($208 vs. $232)
  • More Oakland City University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/