University of St Francis vs. Southern Illinois University

Should I go to University of St Francis or Southern Illinois University Carbondale? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of St Francis 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
University of St Francis vs. Southern Illinois University Carbondale comparison
University of St Francis Southern Illinois University Carbondale College 3 College 4
University of St Francis Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of St Francis Southern Illinois University
Location Joliet, IL Carbondale, IL
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 3,297 11,107
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #339 #467
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website stfrancis.edu siuc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of St Francis Southern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $36,000 $9,638
Tuition (Out of State) $36,000 $9,638
Room & Board $11,430 $10,622
Avg Net Price $18,560 $16,990
Avg Grant Aid $25,392 $11,269
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

University of St Francis Southern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,198 9,771
Admitted 1,284 8,940
Acceptance Rate 58.4% 91.5%
Enrolled % 16.8% 17%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Challenging Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/30 19/27
SAT Range 1030/1240 900/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

University of St Francis Southern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

University of St Francis Southern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 63% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,600 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $232

Diversity

University of St Francis Southern Illinois University
% Men 26% 49%
% Women 74% 51%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 64%
% Black 8% 19%
% Hispanic 16% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

University of St Francis Southern Illinois University
% In-State 93% 81%
% Out-of-State 4% 17%

Campus

University of St Francis 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

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than University of St Francis based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 3,297 students)

University of St Francis vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of St Francis or Southern Illinois University?

  • University of St Francis is 273.5% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($36,000.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 273.5% higher at University of St Francis than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($36,000.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than University of St Francis ($16,990 vs. $18,560)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 7.6% lower than costs at University of St Francis ($10,622 vs. $11,430)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of St Francis than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 125.3% larger than aid received Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($25,392 vs. $11,269)

University of St Francis vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of St Francis 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 St Francis .

  • The average SAT score at University of St Francis (1069) is 37 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1032)
  • Incoming University of St Francis students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Illinois University (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of St Francis students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than University of St Francis (58.4%)

University of St Francis vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of St Francis 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 St Francis.

  • The graduation rate at University of St Francis is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (63% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from University of St Francis earn on average $2,800 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $47,800)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than University of St Francis graduates. ($22,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than University of St Francis graduates. ($232 vs. $258)
  • More University of St Francis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 51%)

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