Southern Illinois University vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 11,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or UTC? 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 UTC ($13,473 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 2.1% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($12,341 vs. $12,604).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 27.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $2,886 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.8% higher at UTC than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $5,178 more per year; $18,512.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 35.6% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($13,610 vs. $10,038).

Southern Illinois University vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 80 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming UTC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Southern Illinois University vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $1,708 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($20,792 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($214 vs. $232).
• More UTC 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.