Southern Illinois University vs. Fort Hays State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fort Hays State University is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Fort Hays State University is in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Fort Hays State University 15:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. Fort Hays State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or Fort Hays State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fort Hays State University than Southern Illinois University ($13,186 vs. $13,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 26.1% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($9,120 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 125.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $7,411 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.1% higher at Fort Hays State University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $4,407 more per year; $17,741.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Fort Hays State University (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 101.6% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($13,610 vs. $6,751).

Southern Illinois University vs. Fort Hays State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or Fort Hays State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Fort Hays State University and Southern Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Hays State University (1060) is 30 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Fort Hays State University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Fort Hays State University 970/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Fort Hays State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; Fort Hays State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 41.8% at Fort Hays State University.

Southern Illinois University vs. Fort Hays State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and Fort Hays State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Fort Hays State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have a $1,782 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($20,718 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($214 vs. $232).
• More Fort Hays State University 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.