Aurora University vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Aurora University in Aurora, IL with Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than Aurora University based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 5,923 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aurora University is located in Aurora, IL (Large Suburban setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Aurora University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aurora University 18:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 9.1% lower than at Aurora University ($12,341 vs. $13,580).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.8% higher at Aurora University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $15,836 more per year; $29,170 vs. $13,334).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aurora University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aurora University students is 58.1% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($21,513 vs. $13,610).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Aurora University than at Southern Illinois University (25 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Aurora University and Southern Illinois University.
• Enrolled first-year students at Aurora University average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.32 higher than at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Aurora University vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aurora University graduates have a $163 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($22,337 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Aurora University graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($230 vs. $232).
• More Aurora University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 51%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.