Southern Illinois University vs. CU

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

Southern Illinois University CU
Location Carbondale, IL Lebanon, TN
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 11,107 2,588
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #467
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu cumberland.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University CU
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $25,200
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $25,200
Room & Board $10,622 $8,990
Avg Net Price $16,990 $18,528
Avg Grant Aid $11,269 $22,145
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Southern Illinois University CU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,771 2,137
Admitted 8,940 1,415
Acceptance Rate 91.5% 66.2%
Enrolled % 17% 44.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/27
SAT Range 900/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

Southern Illinois University CU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Health Professions (46%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University CU
Graduation Rate 44% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $39,900
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $21,729
Median Loan Payment $232 $224

Diversity

Southern Illinois University CU
% Men 49% 42%
% Women 51% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 64% 63%
% Black 19% 12%
% Hispanic 8% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 16%

Students

Southern Illinois University CU
% In-State 81% 88%
% Out-of-State 17% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than CU based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 2,588 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or CU?

  • Cumberland University is 161.5% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($25,200.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 161.5% higher at CU than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($25,200.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than CU ($16,990 vs. $18,528)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 18.2% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($8,990 vs. $10,622)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cumberland University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 96.5% larger than aid received Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($22,145 vs. $11,269)

Southern Illinois University vs. CU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or CU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CU or Southern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 43 points higher than at CU (989)
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at CU (21)
  • Accepted freshman CU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than CU (66.2%)

Southern Illinois University vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or CU? 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 CU and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Cumberland University (44% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $7,900 more per year than CU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $39,900)
  • Cumberland University students graduate with a $771 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($21,729 vs. $22,500)
  • CU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($224 vs. $232)
  • More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 51%)

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