Columbus State vs. Southern Illinois University

Should I go to Columbus State University or Southern Illinois University Carbondale? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbus State 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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Columbus State University vs. Southern Illinois University Carbondale comparison
Columbus State University Southern Illinois University Carbondale College 3 College 4
Columbus State University Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Overview

Columbus State Southern Illinois University
Location Columbus, GA Carbondale, IL
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 7,479 11,107
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #995 #467
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbusstate.edu siuc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbus State Southern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $9,638
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $9,638
Room & Board $12,080 $10,622
Avg Net Price $12,902 $16,990
Avg Grant Aid $9,147 $11,269
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

Columbus State Southern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,870 9,771
Admitted 3,398 8,940
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 91.5%
Enrolled % 30.4% 17%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.24
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 19/27
SAT Range 900/1130 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 Jun 30, 2024

Academics

Columbus State Southern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Columbus State Southern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 31% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $232

Diversity

Columbus State Southern Illinois University
% Men 40% 49%
% Women 60% 51%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 51% 64%
% Black 37% 19%
% Hispanic 6% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Columbus State Southern Illinois University
% In-State 92% 81%
% Out-of-State 5% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 7,479 students)

Columbus State vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Southern Illinois University?

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 120.5% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 60% higher at Columbus State than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($15,425.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than Southern Illinois University ($12,902 vs. $16,990)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 13.7% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($10,622 vs. $12,080)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University as Southern Illinois University Carbondale (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 23.2% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($11,269 vs. $9,147)

Columbus State vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State 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 Columbus State .

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 71 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Columbus State (20)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Illinois University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Columbus State (87.8%)

Columbus State vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbus State 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 Columbus State.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Columbus State University (44% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $10,400 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $37,400)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($232 vs. $268)
  • More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 37%)

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