Illinois State University vs Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Illinois State University is a public university in Normal, IL. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public university in Carbondale, IL. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants and Illinois State University about 88%, making Southern Illinois University-Carbondale the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,297 a year at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale after aid, and about $19,398 at Illinois State University. About 65% of students graduate at Illinois State University, compared with 59% at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Ten years after enrolling, Illinois State University alumni earn a median of about $62,117, against $53,390 for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Normal, IL
Carbondale, IL
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
19,057
8,494
Acceptance rate
88%
87%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.31–3.81
3.28–3.78
SAT (middle 50%)
990–1210
900–1160
ACT (middle 50%)
21–27
18–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$19,398
$13,297
Full cost / yr
$34,309
$28,329
In-state tuition
$16,144
$13,334
Out-of-state tuition
$28,210
$13,334
Application fee
$55
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,568
$9,415
$30k - $48k
$12,301
$8,497
$48k - $75k
$16,348
$10,308
$75k - $110k
$23,865
$17,724
Over $110k
$28,224
$23,254
Outcomes
Graduation rate
65%
59%
Freshman retention
81%
67%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$50,599
$43,087
Median earnings (10 yr)
$62,117
$53,390
Median debt at graduation
$20,482
$21,543
Student body
Pell grant recipients
32%
39%
First-generation students
30%
35%
International students
1%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Illinois State University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale harder to get into?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is harder to get into. It admits about 87% of applicants, compared with 88% at Illinois State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Illinois State University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,297 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $19,398 at Illinois State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Illinois State University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Before aid, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale costs about $28,329 a year and Illinois State University about $34,309. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Illinois State University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,415 there, against about $11,568 at Illinois State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Illinois State University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Illinois State University is the larger of the two, with about 19,057 undergraduates against 8,494 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
- Does Illinois State University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale have a better graduation rate?
- Illinois State University has the higher graduation rate, at about 65% against 59% at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
- Do graduates of Illinois State University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale earn more?
- Illinois State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $62,117 ten years after enrolling, against about $53,390 for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Illinois State University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale require SAT or ACT scores?
- Illinois State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Illinois State University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 990–1210 at Illinois State University and 900–1160 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Illinois State University vs University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIllinois State University vs University of Illinois ChicagoSouthern Illinois University-Carbondale vs University of ChicagoSouthern Illinois University-Carbondale vs Northwestern UniversitySouthern Illinois University-Carbondale vs Northern Illinois University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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