Illinois vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

Illinois vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois 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 Illinois ($13,473 vs. $13,973).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 15% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($12,341 vs. $14,522).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 20% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Illinois University (about $2,670 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.4% higher at Illinois than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $21,790 more per year; $35,124.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (95% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 41.8% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($19,299 vs. $13,610).

Illinois vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois 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 Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 390 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Southern Illinois University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

Illinois vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $18,700 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($211 vs. $232).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.