Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIU) vs University of St Francis
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIU-C) and University of St. Francis (USF) are two distinct institutions of higher learning located in Illinois, each offering unique educational experiences. SIU-C, a public research university, boasts a larger student body and a wider range of academic programs, including doctoral degrees. USF, a private Catholic university, offers a more intimate learning environment with a focus on undergraduate education. While both universities have high acceptance rates, SIU-C attracts a more diverse student body, while USF has a higher graduation rate. To help you make an informed decision about your educational journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two institutions, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the table to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Southern Illinois University-Carbondale |
![]() University of St Francis |
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Overview |
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Location | Carbondale, Illinois | Joliet, Illinois |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 75.0% | 73.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 95.1% | 68.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | 930 - 1160 | 920 - 1170 |
ACT range | 20 - 28 | 20 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | 45.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 18.0% | 9.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,987 | 1,574 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,648 | 1,074 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,422 | 204 |
Yield rate | 21.4% | 19.0% |
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 | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $29,903 | $47,120 |
Average net price | $15,976 | $16,949 |
Tuition | $9,638 | $35,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,292
Meal plan:
$4,330
|
$10,210 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
91.0%
Average amount $13,301 |
100.0%
Average amount $26,779 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
55.0%
Average amount $5,362 |
59.0%
Average amount $5,207 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $12,619 |
5.0%
Average amount $13,590 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
8,147
Men 51.4% Women 48.6% |
1,572
Men 30.5% Women 69.5% |
Graduate students |
3,119
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
1,854
Men 20.1% Women 79.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 17.5% | N/A |
International students | 7.7% | 1.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 4,492 | 380 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Illinois Missouri Indiana Tennessee Wisconsin | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 45.3% | 64.6% |
Dropout rate | 53.2% | 34.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
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