SIUE vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than SFASU based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 10,472 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

SIUE vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE or SFASU? 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 Stephen F Austin State University than SIUE ($14,959 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephen F Austin State University are 9.3% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($13,144 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 16.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SFASU (about $1,794 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $11,128.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.3% higher at SFASU than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $10,504 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than at Stephen F Austin State University (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 8.5% larger than aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students ($11,602 vs. $10,694).

SIUE vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE or SFASU? 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 SFASU and SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is the same as at SFASU (1070).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at SFASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; SFASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than SFASU (94%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

SIUE vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE and SFASU? 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 Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Stephen F Austin State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than SFASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $3,570 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($21,430 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($221 vs. $258).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 52%)

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.