UAPB vs. SIUE

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, 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 UAPB based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 2,005 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is located in Pine Bluff, AR (Small City setting); Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 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 Pine Bluff 12:1; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1.

UAPB vs. SIUE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAPB 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 Pine Bluff than SIUE ($12,373 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are 36.5% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($9,194 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 37.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAPB (about $3,510 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $9,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.2% higher at UAPB than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $5,070 more per year; $17,992.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 6.6% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students ($11,602 vs. $10,883).

UAPB vs. SIUE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAPB 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 UAPB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 90 points higher than at UAPB (980).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 16 at UAPB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 845/1108; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 14/18; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAPB - Required; SIUE - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at UAPB (2.9).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than UAPB (41.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at UAPB vs. 15.7% at SIUE.

UAPB vs. SIUE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAPB 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 Pine Bluff's (23%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than UAPB graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $5,318 lower median loan debt than UAPB graduates ($21,430 vs. $26,748).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UAPB graduates ($221 vs. $276).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAPB students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 30%)

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.