Southern Illinois University vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Dakota State University is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (12,056 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University ($13,473 vs. $19,932).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 17.5% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,176 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 43.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $4,035 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Southern Illinois University than at South Dakota State University (about $525 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at South Dakota State University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 204.2% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($13,610 vs. $4,474).

Southern Illinois University vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University and Southern Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota State University (1150) is 120 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming South Dakota State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

Southern Illinois University vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and South Dakota State University? 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).

• South Dakota State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $100 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $2,616 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,116).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota State University graduates ($232 vs. $259).
• More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.