Arkansas vs. SIUE

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas is larger than SIUE based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 11,893 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Arkansas 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 20:1; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1.

Arkansas vs. SIUE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than Arkansas ($17,115 vs. $18,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas are 1.7% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($14,244 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 27.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $2,818 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.9% higher at Arkansas than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $17,044 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than at University of Arkansas (91% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 31.8% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($11,602 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. SIUE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas (1130) is 60 points higher than at SIUE (1070).
• Incoming Arkansas students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at SIUE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; SIUE - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027; SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at SIUE (3.54).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 15.7% at SIUE.

Arkansas vs. SIUE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas 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).

• University of Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than SIUE graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $70 lower median loan debt than Arkansas graduates ($21,430 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas graduates ($221 vs. $222).
• More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SIUE students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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.