Southern Illinois University vs. UC Merced

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

Southern Illinois University UC Merced
Location Carbondale, IL Merced, CA
Setting Rural Fringe Rural Fringe
Enrollment 11,107 9,103
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #467 #605
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu ucmerced.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University UC Merced
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $11,564
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $41,636
Room & Board $10,622 $19,340
Avg Net Price $16,990 $13,549
Avg Grant Aid $11,269 $25,868
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 83%

Admission

Southern Illinois University UC Merced
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,771 29,920
Admitted 8,940 26,766
Acceptance Rate 91.5% 89.5%
Enrolled % 17% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.55
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27 19/24
SAT Range 900/1140 960/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2024

Academics

Southern Illinois University UC Merced
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Psychology (22%)
  • Biology (21%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Business (12%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University UC Merced
Graduation Rate 44% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $19,899
Median Loan Payment $232 $205

Diversity

Southern Illinois University UC Merced
% Men 49% 51%
% Women 51% 49%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 64% 13%
% Black 19% 5%
% Hispanic 8% 48%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Illinois University UC Merced
% In-State 81% 99%
% Out-of-State 17% 0%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 9,103 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or UC Merced?

  • University of California Merced is 20% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($11,564.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 332% higher at UC Merced than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($41,636.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Merced than Southern Illinois University ($13,549 vs. $16,990)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 82.1% lower than costs at University of California Merced ($10,622 vs. $19,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than University of California Merced (98% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 129.6% larger than aid received Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($25,868 vs. $11,269)

Southern Illinois University vs. UC Merced Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 7 points higher than at UC Merced (1025)
  • Incoming UC Merced students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Illinois University (22)
  • Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than UC Merced (89.5%)

Southern Illinois University vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or UC Merced? 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 UC Merced and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at UC Merced is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (58% vs. 44%)
  • University of California Merced students graduate with a $2,601 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($19,899 vs. $22,500)
  • UC Merced graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($205 vs. $232)
  • More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 51%)

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