Southern Illinois University vs. KWC

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 887 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Kentucky Wesleyan College is in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. KWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or KWC? 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 KWC ($13,473 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 3.9% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($11,855 vs. $12,341).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 160% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Illinois University (about $21,339 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160% higher at KWC than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $21,339 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 87.6% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($25,538 vs. $13,610).

Southern Illinois University vs. KWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1030) is 20 points higher than at KWC (1010).
• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at KWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; KWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman KWC students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than KWC (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 17.7% at KWC.

Southern Illinois University vs. KWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and KWC? 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).

• The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is the same as at Kentucky Wesleyan College (44% vs. 44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than KWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $407 lower median loan debt than KWC graduates ($22,500 vs. $22,907).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KWC graduates ($232 vs. $236).
• More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.