Illinois College vs. Southwest Baptist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL with Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Baptist University is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (2,199 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); Southwest Baptist University is in Bolivar, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; Southwest Baptist University 10:1.

Illinois College vs. Southwest Baptist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College or Southwest Baptist 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 Illinois College than Southwest Baptist University ($17,375 vs. $21,336).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Baptist University are 18.7% lower than at Illinois College ($9,776 vs. $12,026).
• Illinois College is 26.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Baptist University (about $8,110 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $30,566.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.5% higher at Illinois College than at Southwest Baptist University (about $8,110 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $30,566.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at Southwest Baptist University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 66% larger than aid received by Southwest Baptist University students ($31,609 vs. $19,043).

Illinois College vs. Southwest Baptist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois College or Southwest Baptist 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 Baptist University and Illinois College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois College (1030) is 20 points higher than at Southwest Baptist University (1010).
• Incoming Illinois College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Southwest Baptist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Southwest Baptist University 810/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Southwest Baptist University 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; Southwest Baptist University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Southwest Baptist University (3.55).
• Illinois College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Southwest Baptist University (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 34.3% at Southwest Baptist University.

Illinois College vs. Southwest Baptist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College and Southwest Baptist 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).

• Illinois College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Southwest Baptist University's (48%).
• Graduates from Illinois College earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Southwest Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Baptist University graduates have a $5,913 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($21,087 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Baptist University graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($218 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 63%)

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.