UALR vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR with Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than UALR based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 8,216 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

UALR vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR or Southern Illinois University? 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 Arkansas at Little Rock than Southern Illinois University ($12,033 vs. $13,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are 12.8% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,760 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 36.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $3,586 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.2% higher at UALR than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $8,824 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 23.6% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students ($13,610 vs. $11,013).

UALR vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1090) is 60 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at UALR).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; Southern Illinois University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UALR students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

UALR vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR and Southern Illinois University? 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 Carbondale's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($211 vs. $232).
• More UALR graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.