Eastern Illinois University
A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 4,398 students.
About This School
Eastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Charleston, Illinois with approximately 4,398 undergraduate students enrolled. Eastern Illinois University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 68%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,093 per year. The graduation rate is 45%, and the typical graduate earns $46,000 within 10 years of enrollment.
Eastern Illinois University is a comprehensive public university in Charleston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1895, EIU offers a broad range of curricula leading to bachelor's and master's degrees within its four Colleges.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the $14,093 average net price is genuinely affordable, and a median debt of $15,722 at graduation is lower than many schools, which is a real advantage. However, the 45% graduation rate is a significant concern — fewer than half of students who start here finish, which is worth taking seriously when evaluating fit and support resources. Worth considering if you're cost-conscious and have a clear plan, but ask hard questions about what's driving that low completion rate before committing.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 12% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Eastern Illinois University graduates earn most above the national rate in Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($54,548 vs $51,389 nationally), and most below it in Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($60,985 vs $86,176).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 105 | $49,478 | $50,706 | −$1,228 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 88 | $43,190 | $47,382 | −$4,192 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 87 | $52,078 | $53,072 | −$994 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 73 | $50,502 | $54,562 | −$4,060 |
| Biology, General | 54 | $53,725 | $57,214 | −$3,489 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 42 | $54,791 | $55,693 | −$902 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 38 | $39,923 | $41,367 | −$1,444 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 33 | $47,222 | $48,590 | −$1,368 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 33 | $57,887 | $56,359 | +$1,528 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 31 | $60,985 | $86,176 | −$25,191 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 30 | $54,548 | $51,389 | +$3,159 |
| Marketing | 28 | $62,994 | $69,303 | −$6,309 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degree here. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (4,398 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Eastern Illinois University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Eastern Illinois University?
Eastern Illinois University has an acceptance rate of 68%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Eastern Illinois University hard to get into?
Eastern Illinois University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 68%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Eastern Illinois University cost?
The average net price at Eastern Illinois University is about $14,093 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Eastern Illinois University?
Eastern Illinois University has a graduation rate of 45%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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