Southern Illinois University vs. Eastern

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 11,790 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Eastern Kentucky University is in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Eastern Kentucky University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 0.6% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($12,268 vs. $12,341).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.2% higher at Eastern than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $7,896 more per year; $21,230 vs. $13,334).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($13,610 vs. $11,468).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Eastern than at Southern Illinois University (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Southern Illinois University and Eastern.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Eastern average a 3.39 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 19.9% at Eastern.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $1,195 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($232 vs. $245).
• More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation (51% vs. 49%).

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