Southern Illinois University vs. Tarleton

Should I go to Southern Illinois University Carbondale or Tarleton State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Illinois University or Tarleton 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. Tarleton State University comparison
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Tarleton State University College 3 College 4
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Tarleton State University
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Overview

Southern Illinois University Tarleton
Location Carbondale, IL Stephenville, TX
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 11,107 14,092
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #467 #871
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu tarleton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University Tarleton
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $4,416
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $14,208
Room & Board $10,622 $10,328
Avg Net Price $16,990 $13,755
Avg Grant Aid $11,269 $8,463
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 79%

Admission

Southern Illinois University Tarleton
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,771 5,788
Admitted 8,940 5,039
Acceptance Rate 91.5% 87.1%
Enrolled % 17% 48.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.21
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27 18/24
SAT Range 900/1140 950/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Southern Illinois University Tarleton
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Agriculture (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University Tarleton
Graduation Rate 44% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $45,500
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $232 $204

Diversity

Southern Illinois University Tarleton
% Men 49% 36%
% Women 51% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 64% 68%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 8% 18%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Illinois University Tarleton
% In-State 81% 97%
% Out-of-State 17% 3%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Tarleton State University is larger than than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (14,092 students vs. 11,107 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or Tarleton?

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 118.3% more expensive to attend than Tarleton for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $4,416.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 47.4% higher at Tarleton than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($14,208.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tarleton State University than Southern Illinois University ($13,755 vs. $16,990)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 2.8% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,328 vs. $10,622)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than Tarleton State University (98% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 33.2% larger than aid received Tarleton State University ($11,269 vs. $8,463)

Southern Illinois University vs. Tarleton Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 73 points higher than at Tarleton (959)
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Tarleton (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Illinois University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Tarleton (3.21)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Tarleton (87.1%)

Southern Illinois University vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or Tarleton? 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 Tarleton and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Tarleton State University (44% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $2,300 more per year than Tarleton graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $45,500)
  • Tarleton State University students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($19,750 vs. $22,500)
  • Tarleton graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($204 vs. $232)
  • More Tarleton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 51%)

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