Southern Illinois University vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than Purdue Northwest based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 9,051 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than Southern Illinois University ($7,916 vs. $13,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 27.8% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($8,907 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 53.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $4,659 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at Purdue Northwest than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $2,760 more per year; $16,094.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Purdue University Northwest (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 94.7% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($13,610 vs. $6,992).

Southern Illinois University vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1030) is 10 points higher than at Purdue Northwest (1020).
• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Illinois University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

Southern Illinois University vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and Purdue Northwest? 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).

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.