Southern Illinois University vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Radford University 14:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or RU? 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale than RU ($13,473 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 1.3% lower than at Radford University ($12,341 vs. $12,504).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $786 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.2% higher at RU than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $12,299 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Radford University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 14.7% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($13,610 vs. $11,870).

Southern Illinois University vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 20 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming RU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Southern Illinois University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 14.4% at RU.

Southern Illinois University vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $400 more per year than RU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than RU graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RU graduates ($232 vs. $237).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.