Southern Illinois University vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or UNI? 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 UNI ($13,473 vs. $16,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 19.1% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($9,986 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 34.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $3,398 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.8% higher at UNI than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $8,378 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at University of Northern Iowa (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 132.1% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($13,610 vs. $5,865).

Southern Illinois University vs. UNI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 120 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming UNI 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 Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 31.1% at UNI.

Southern Illinois University vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and UNI? 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 Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $100 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($20,625 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($213 vs. $232).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.