UALR vs. SIUE

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than UALR based on total student enrollment (11,893 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 Edwardsville is in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1.

UALR vs. SIUE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR or SIUE? 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 SIUE ($12,033 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are 25.7% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($10,760 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 32.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $3,174 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.5% higher at UALR than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $9,236 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Little Rock than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (92% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 5.3% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students ($11,602 vs. $11,013).

UALR vs. SIUE Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1090) is 20 points higher than at SIUE (1070).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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 Edwardsville 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; SIUE - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027; SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at UALR (3.42).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 15.7% at SIUE.

UALR vs. SIUE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR and SIUE? 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 Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $930 lower median loan debt than SIUE graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,430).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SIUE graduates ($211 vs. $221).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UALR students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.