Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Western 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 Arkansas University Main Campus than Western Illinois University ($13,442 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 30.1% lower than at Western Illinois University ($7,911 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 53.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $5,304 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Western Illinois University (about $426 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Western Illinois University (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($14,994 vs. $11,552).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Western 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 Western Illinois University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990) is the same as at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and Western 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).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $7,684 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($17,020 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($175 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 44%)

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.