Southern Illinois University vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than SFASU based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 10,472 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or SFASU? 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 SFASU ($13,473 vs. $14,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 6.1% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($12,341 vs. $13,144).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 19.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SFASU (about $2,206 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $11,128.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.7% higher at SFASU than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $10,092 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Stephen F Austin State University (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students ($13,610 vs. $10,694).

Southern Illinois University vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin 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 SFASU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; SFASU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SFASU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

Southern Illinois University vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is the same as at Stephen F Austin State University (44% vs. 44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than SFASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More SFASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.