SIUE vs. Memphis

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with University of Memphis in Memphis, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Memphis is larger than SIUE based on total student enrollment (20,276 students vs. 11,893 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); University of Memphis is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Memphis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; University of Memphis 16:1.

SIUE vs. Memphis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE or Memphis? 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 University of Memphis than SIUE ($12,756 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Memphis are 21.7% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($11,342 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 20.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Memphis (about $2,194 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $10,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.1% higher at Memphis than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $2,462 more per year; $15,384.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Memphis than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (92% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Memphis students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($11,793 vs. $11,602).

SIUE vs. Memphis Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 20 points higher than at Memphis (1050).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Memphis).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; University of Memphis 915/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; University of Memphis 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; Memphis - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027; Memphis Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Memphis (3.48).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than Memphis (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 18.1% at Memphis.

SIUE vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE and Memphis? 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 University of Memphis's (38%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Memphis graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $3,820 lower median loan debt than Memphis graduates ($21,430 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Memphis graduates ($221 vs. $261).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 37%)

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.