Southern Illinois University vs. UHCL

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with University of Houston Clear Lake in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 8,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or UHCL? 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 UHCL ($13,473 vs. $14,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 2.4% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($12,341 vs. $12,642).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 71.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $5,564 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at UHCL than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $7,780 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at University of Houston Clear Lake (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 7.8% larger than aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students ($13,610 vs. $12,630).

Southern Illinois University vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 30 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; UHCL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UHCL students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• UHCL has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 22.2% at UHCL.

Southern Illinois University vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $5,350 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($17,150 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($177 vs. $232).
• More UHCL 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.