Southern Illinois University vs. Kean

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Kean University in Union, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kean University is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (13,905 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Kean University is in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Kean University 17:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. Kean Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or Kean? 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 Kean University than Southern Illinois University ($12,708 vs. $13,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 32.4% lower than at Kean University ($12,341 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Illinois University (about $965 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.3% higher at Kean than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $9,112 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Kean University (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 10.6% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($15,048 vs. $13,610).

Southern Illinois University vs. Kean Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or Kean? 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 Kean and Southern Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kean University (1040) is 10 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Kean University 930/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; Kean - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Illinois University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Kean (3.2).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 18.7% at Kean.

Southern Illinois University vs. Kean Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and Kean? 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).

• Kean University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Kean graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More Kean graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.