Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southern Illinois University

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southern Illinois University
Location Magnolia, AR Carbondale, IL
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,094 11,107
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #467
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu siuc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $9,638
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $9,638
Room & Board $7,809 $10,622
Avg Net Price $14,056 $16,990
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $11,269
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 9,771
Admitted 1,855 8,940
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 91.5%
Enrolled % 38.1% 17%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 19/27
SAT Range 905/1190 900/1140
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2024

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 34% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $175 $232

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southern Illinois University
% Men 45% 49%
% Women 55% 51%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 64%
% Black 28% 19%
% Hispanic 3% 8%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Southern Illinois University
% In-State 70% 81%
% Out-of-State 29% 17%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Southern Illinois University?

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 37.3% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.2% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($12,450.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Southern Illinois University ($14,056 vs. $16,990)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 36% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($7,809 vs. $10,622)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 21% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($11,269 vs. $9,316)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 44 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (44% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $9,900 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $5,480 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $22,500)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($175 vs. $232)
  • More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 44%)

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