Southern Illinois University vs. NSU

Should I go to Southern Illinois University Carbondale or Northern State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Illinois University or NSU 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. Northern State University comparison
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Northern State University College 3 College 4
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Overview

Southern Illinois University NSU
Location Carbondale, IL Aberdeen, SD
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 11,107 3,344
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #467 #820
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University NSU
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $10,718
Room & Board $10,622 $9,150
Avg Net Price $16,990 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $11,269 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 91%

Admission

Southern Illinois University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,771 1,322
Admitted 8,940 1,033
Acceptance Rate 91.5% 78.1%
Enrolled % 17% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.37
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27 18/24
SAT Range 900/1140 800/1150
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

Southern Illinois University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University NSU
Graduation Rate 44% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $232 $252

Diversity

Southern Illinois University NSU
% Men 49% 37%
% Women 51% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 83%
% Black 19% 2%
% Hispanic 8% 4%
% Native American 0% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Southern Illinois University NSU
% In-State 81% 69%
% Out-of-State 17% 30%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 3,344 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or NSU?

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 26.5% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.2% higher at NSU than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,718.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than NSU ($16,990 vs. $17,264)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 16.1% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($9,150 vs. $10,622)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than Northern State University (98% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 97.2% larger than aid received Northern State University ($11,269 vs. $5,715)

Southern Illinois University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 8 points higher than at NSU (1024)
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than NSU (78.1%)

Southern Illinois University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or NSU? 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 NSU and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Northern State University (44% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $10,400 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $37,400)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $1,899 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,399)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($232 vs. $252)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

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