Southern Illinois University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate ($13,473 vs. $13,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 14.7% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,533 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $1,746 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.2% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $9,756 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 27% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($13,610 vs. $10,719).

Southern Illinois University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and Southern Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 60 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Southern Illinois University students have a 0.71 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

Southern Illinois University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate and Southern Illinois University graduates have the same median loan debt ($22,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of South Carolina Upstate and Southern Illinois University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($232 vs. $232).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.