EIU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 8,214 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

EIU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or Southwest Minnesota State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Illinois University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($13,787 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 10.2% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($11,028 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 32% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State University (about $3,318 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.5% higher at EIU than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $5,856 more per year; $16,217.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 49.4% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($12,960 vs. $8,674).

EIU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or Southwest Minnesota State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Southwest Minnesota State University and EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 30 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• EIU has a higher acceptance rate (65.3%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

EIU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and Southwest Minnesota State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $1,972 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($21,678 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($224 vs. $244).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.