University of South Alabama vs. Southern Illinois University

Should I go to University of South Alabama or Southern Illinois University Carbondale? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of South Alabama or Southern Illinois University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of South Alabama vs. Southern Illinois University Carbondale comparison
University of South Alabama Southern Illinois University Carbondale College 3 College 4
University of South Alabama Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Overview

University of South Alabama Southern Illinois University
Location Mobile, AL Carbondale, IL
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 13,438 11,107
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #684 #467
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu siuc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama Southern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $8,616 $9,638
Tuition (Out of State) $17,232 $9,638
Room & Board $8,510 $10,622
Avg Net Price $15,664 $16,990
Avg Grant Aid $7,686 $11,269
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 98%

Admission

University of South Alabama Southern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,550 9,771
Admitted 8,203 8,940
Acceptance Rate 65.4% 91.5%
Enrolled % 19.7% 17%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26 19/27
SAT Range 1003/1200 900/1140
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

University of South Alabama Southern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama Southern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 39% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $253 $232

Diversity

University of South Alabama Southern Illinois University
% Men 32% 49%
% Women 68% 51%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 59% 64%
% Black 24% 19%
% Hispanic 3% 8%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

University of South Alabama Southern Illinois University
% In-State 73% 81%
% Out-of-State 25% 17%

Campus

University of South Alabama Southern Illinois University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (13,438 students vs. 11,107 students)

University of South Alabama vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or Southern Illinois University?

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 11.9% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $8,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 78.8% higher at University of South Alabama than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($17,232.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Alabama than Southern Illinois University ($15,664 vs. $16,990)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 24.8% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($8,510 vs. $10,622)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than University of South Alabama (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 46.6% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($11,269 vs. $7,686)

University of South Alabama vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama or Southern Illinois University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southern Illinois University or University of South Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at University of South Alabama (1045) is 13 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1032)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Illinois University (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than University of South Alabama (65.4%)

University of South Alabama vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama or Southern Illinois University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southern Illinois University and University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than University of South Alabama (44% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $2,600 more per year than University of South Alabama graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $45,200)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,500)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Alabama graduates. ($232 vs. $253)
  • More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/