University of Central Arkansas vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than University of Central Arkansas based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 10,112 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Central 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 Central Arkansas 15:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 26.2% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($9,110 vs. $12,341).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.2% higher at University of Central Arkansas than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $4,689 more per year; $18,023 vs. $13,334).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas as at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 52.9% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($13,610 vs. $8,901).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at University of Central Arkansas than at Southern Illinois University (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both University of Central Arkansas and Southern Illinois University.
• Enrolled first-year students at University of Central Arkansas average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.46 higher than at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $1,085 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($21,415 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($221 vs. $232).
• More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation (57% vs. 51%).

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