Southern Illinois University vs. Central College

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 1,084 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Central College 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 2.3% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($12,060 vs. $12,341).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.4% higher at Central College than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $7,654 more per year; $20,988 vs. $13,334).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($13,925 vs. $13,610).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Central College than at Southern Illinois University (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Southern Illinois University and Central College.
• Enrolled first-year students at Central College average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 21% at Central College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 51%).

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