Southern Illinois University vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

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

Tarleton State University is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or Tarleton? 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 Tarleton ($13,473 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 11.5% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,920 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 60.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $5,032 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.1% higher at Tarleton than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $4,808 more per year; $18,142.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Tarleton State University (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 71.6% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($13,610 vs. $7,929).

Southern Illinois University vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tarleton 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 Tarleton (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Illinois University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• Tarleton has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

Southern Illinois University vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Tarleton State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Tarleton graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($19,750 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.