Southern Illinois University vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with University of Missouri Columbia in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 University of Missouri-Columbia ($13,473 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 9.9% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($12,341 vs. $13,700).
• University of Missouri Columbia is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Illinois University (about $1,503 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 170.4% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $22,722 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale as at University of Missouri Columbia (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 3.1% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students ($13,610 vs. $13,203).

Southern Illinois University vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 University of Missouri-Columbia and Southern Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 210 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 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 Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Missouri-Columbia 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 University of Missouri-Columbia (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

Southern Illinois University vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and University of Missouri-Columbia? 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).

• University of Missouri Columbia's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Columbia graduates have a $617 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($21,883 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($226 vs. $232).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.