Southern Illinois University vs. University of Dayton

Should I go to Southern Illinois University Carbondale or University of Dayton? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Illinois University or University of Dayton is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale vs. University of Dayton comparison
Southern Illinois University Carbondale University of Dayton College 3 College 4
Southern Illinois University Carbondale University of Dayton
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Overview

Southern Illinois University University of Dayton
Location Carbondale, IL Dayton, OH
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 11,359 11,304
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #491 #206
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu udayton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University University of Dayton
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $47,600
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $47,600
Room & Board $12,114 $15,640
Avg Net Price $16,131 $31,551
Avg Grant Aid $12,408 $31,852
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 95%

Admission

Southern Illinois University University of Dayton
Applied 10,401 22,747
Admitted 9,407 14,023
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 61.6%
Enrolled % 17.2% 13.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.77
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Easy Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 26/31
SAT Range 910/1140 1195/1370
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Southern Illinois University University of Dayton
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Engineering (13%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Health Professions (5%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University University of Dayton
Graduation Rate 44% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $57,300
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 84%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $268

Diversity

Southern Illinois University University of Dayton
% Men 13% 14%
% Women 15% 14%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 78%
% Black 19% 3%
% Hispanic 8% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 4% 11%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Illinois University University of Dayton
% In-State 83% 54%
% Out-of-State 16% 45%

Campus

Southern Illinois University University of Dayton
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (11,359 students vs. 11,304 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or University of Dayton?

  • University of Dayton is 393.9% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($47,600.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 393.9% higher at University of Dayton than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($47,600.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than University of Dayton ($16,131 vs. $31,551)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 29.1% lower than costs at University of Dayton ($12,114 vs. $15,640)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Dayton than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (95% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 156.7% larger than aid received Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($31,852 vs. $12,408)

Southern Illinois University vs. University of Dayton Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or University of Dayton? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Dayton or Southern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Dayton (1187) is 155 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1032)
  • Incoming University of Dayton students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Southern Illinois University (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than University of Dayton (61.6%)

Southern Illinois University vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or University of Dayton? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Dayton and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at University of Dayton is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (74% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from University of Dayton earn on average $9,500 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($57,300 vs. $47,800)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Dayton graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than University of Dayton graduates. ($232 vs. $268)
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/