Lake State vs Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIU)
Envision yourself pursuing higher education in either the serene landscapes of Michigan's Upper Peninsula or the vibrant heartland of Southern Illinois. Lake Superior State University (LSSU) and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIU-C) offer distinct experiences for students seeking a transformative college journey. LSSU, nestled along the shores of Lake Superior, boasts a close-knit community with a focus on personalized attention, while SIU-C, situated in the bustling city of Carbondale, offers a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs. Dive into our comprehensive comparison table to explore the nuances of each university, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation outcomes. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, setting the stage for an enriching and fulfilling college experience.
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![]() Lake Superior State University |
![]() Southern Illinois University-Carbondale |
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Overview |
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Location | Sault Ste Marie, Michigan | Carbondale, Illinois |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 67.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 73.3% | 95.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | 950 - 1160 | 930 - 1160 |
ACT range | 18 - 27 | 20 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | 43.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 9.0% | 18.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,411 | 6,987 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,767 | 6,648 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 373 | 1,422 |
Yield rate | 21.1% | 21.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $24,150 | $29,903 |
Average net price | $13,583 | $15,976 |
Tuition | $12,912 | $9,638 |
Room & board | $11,516 |
Room/dormitory:
$6,292
Meal plan:
$4,330
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $10,820 |
91.0%
Average amount $13,301 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
59.0%
Average amount $4,800 |
55.0%
Average amount $5,362 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $14,945 |
8.0%
Average amount $12,619 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,812
Men 44.2% Women 55.8% |
8,147
Men 51.4% Women 48.6% |
Graduate students | N/A |
3,119
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 13.8% | 17.5% |
International students | 1.2% | 7.7% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 850 | 4,492 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Michigan Indiana Minnesota Illinois Ohio | Illinois Missouri Indiana Tennessee Wisconsin |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 52.4% | 45.3% |
Dropout rate | 16.6% | 53.2% |
Transferred out | 27.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Architecture (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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