Southern Illinois University-Carbondale vs University of California-Merced
Carbondale, IL — Merced, CA
| Metric | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL | University of California-Merced Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Carbondale, IL | Merced, CA |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 8,494 | 8,372 |
| Acceptance Rate | 86.9% | 90.5% |
| SAT Average | 1,055 | — |
| In-State Tuition | $13,334 | $15,623 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $13,334 | $49,823 |
| Avg Net Price | $13,297 | $11,983 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,543 | $16,144 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 59.0% | 68.9% |
| Retention Rate | 66.8% | 82.1% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $43,087 | $48,475 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $53,390 | $64,368 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 789000.0% | 142300.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL
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University of California-Merced
Merced, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and University of California-Merced compare?▼
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (Carbondale, IL) has an acceptance rate of 86.9%, in-state tuition of $13,334, and median 10-year earnings of $53,390. University of California-Merced (Merced, CA) has an acceptance rate of 90.5%, in-state tuition of $15,623, and median 10-year earnings of $64,368.
Which school has higher graduate earnings, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale or University of California-Merced?▼
University of California-Merced graduates earn more at 10 years out, with a median of $64,368 vs $53,390. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale or University of California-Merced?▼
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), University of California-Merced is the more affordable option at $11,983 per year versus $13,297.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
University of California-Merced has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 68.9% vs 59.0%.
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All data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. PlainCollege is not affiliated with any government agency.
Related
Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt) · 2025