Arkansas vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR with Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Arkansas vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or Southern Illinois University? 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 Arkansas ($13,473 vs. $18,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 13.4% lower than at University of Arkansas ($12,341 vs. $14,244).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 32% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $3,230 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 124.7% higher at Arkansas than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $16,632 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at University of Arkansas (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 54.6% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($13,610 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas (1130) is 100 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming Arkansas students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; Southern Illinois University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

Arkansas vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($222 vs. $232).
• More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.