Southern Illinois University vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 9,110 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 42.5% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,341 vs. $21,445).
• Out-of-state tuition is 273.7% higher at UC Merced than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $36,489 more per year; $49,823 vs. $13,334).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at University of California Merced (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 100.5% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($27,292 vs. $13,610).

Admissions details

• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at UC Merced (21).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Southern Illinois University, test-free at UC Merced.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at UC Merced average a 3.55 high school GPA, 0.31 higher than at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $2,601 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($19,899 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($205 vs. $232).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 51%).

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