Georgia vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Georgia in Athens, GA with Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Georgia is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (43,146 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Georgia is located in Athens, GA (Midsize City setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Georgia 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 Georgia 17:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

Georgia vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale than Georgia ($13,473 vs. $16,662).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Georgia are 5.4% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($11,672 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 16.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia (about $1,884 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.6% higher at Georgia than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $18,354 more per year; $31,688.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at University of Georgia (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 16.6% larger than aid received by University of Georgia students ($13,610 vs. $11,674).

Georgia vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia 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 Georgia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Georgia (1380) is 350 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming Georgia students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Georgia 1270/1480; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Georgia 29/34; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia - Required; Southern Illinois University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia students have a 0.76 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Georgia (37.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.3% at Georgia vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

Georgia vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia 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).

• University of Georgia's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Georgia earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,400 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Georgia graduates have a $3,354 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($19,146 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Georgia graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($197 vs. $232).
• More Georgia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.