University of Central Arkansas vs. Southern Illinois University

Should I go to University of Central Arkansas or Southern Illinois University Carbondale? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Central Arkansas or Southern Illinois University 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
University of Central Arkansas vs. Southern Illinois University Carbondale comparison
University of Central Arkansas Southern Illinois University Carbondale College 3 College 4
University of Central Arkansas Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of Central Arkansas Southern Illinois University
Location Conway, AR Carbondale, IL
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 9,913 11,107
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #837 #467
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu siuc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas Southern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $9,638
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $9,638
Room & Board $8,250 $10,622
Avg Net Price $15,456 $16,990
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $11,269
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 98%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas Southern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 9,771
Admitted 5,949 8,940
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 91.5%
Enrolled % 30.3% 17%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.24
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/27
SAT Range 940/1130 900/1140
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

Academics

University of Central Arkansas Southern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas Southern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 40% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $221 $232

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas Southern Illinois University
% Men 36% 49%
% Women 64% 51%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 66% 64%
% Black 18% 19%
% Hispanic 5% 8%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

University of Central Arkansas Southern Illinois University
% In-State 90% 81%
% Out-of-State 8% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than University of Central Arkansas based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 9,913 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 38.7% more expensive to attend than University of Central Arkansas for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $6,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 44.2% higher at University of Central Arkansas than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($13,900.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Central Arkansas than Southern Illinois University ($15,456 vs. $16,990)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 28.8% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($8,250 vs. $10,622)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than University of Central Arkansas (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 37.8% larger than aid received University of Central Arkansas ($11,269 vs. $8,177)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Arkansas (1068) is 36 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1032)
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Illinois University (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than University of Central Arkansas (91.2%)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Central Arkansas or Southern Illinois University? 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 Southern Illinois University and University of Central Arkansas.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than University of Central Arkansas (44% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $7,000 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $40,800)
  • University of Central Arkansas students graduate with a $1,085 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($21,415 vs. $22,500)
  • University of Central Arkansas graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/