Southern Illinois University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or NSU? 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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana than Southern Illinois University ($13,134 vs. $13,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 11.5% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,926 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 50.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $4,470 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.4% higher at NSU than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $6,318 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (95% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 12.5% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($13,610 vs. $12,098).

Southern Illinois University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1030) is 20 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 37.4% at NSU.

Southern Illinois University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and NSU? 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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $969 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($21,531 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($222 vs. $232).
• More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 46%)

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.