IWU vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

IWU vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Southern Illinois 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale than IWU ($13,473 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 7.7% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,341 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 332.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Illinois University (about $44,370 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 332.8% higher at IWU than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $44,370 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 209.9% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($42,181 vs. $13,610).

IWU vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Southern Illinois 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 Southern Illinois University and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 200 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming IWU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Southern Illinois University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

IWU vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Southern Illinois 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 Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 51%)

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.