Southern Illinois University vs. WKU

Should I go to Southern Illinois University Carbondale or Western Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Illinois University or WKU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

SIUE Northern Illinois Eastern Murray State University Kentucky Louisville ISU UTC Southeast Missouri State University Illinois EIU WMU
Southern Illinois University Carbondale vs. Western Kentucky University comparison
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Western Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Western Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Southern Illinois University WKU
Location Carbondale, IL Bowling Green, KY
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 11,107 16,493
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #467 #875
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University WKU
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $27,000
Room & Board $10,622 $11,072
Avg Net Price $16,990 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $11,269 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Southern Illinois University WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,771 7,505
Admitted 8,940 7,276
Acceptance Rate 91.5% 96.9%
Enrolled % 17% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27 18/25
SAT Range 900/1140 980/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Southern Illinois University WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University WKU
Graduation Rate 44% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $232 $250

Diversity

Southern Illinois University WKU
% Men 49% 37%
% Women 51% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 76%
% Black 19% 10%
% Hispanic 8% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 6%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Illinois University WKU
% In-State 81% 70%
% Out-of-State 17% 29%

Campus

Southern Illinois University WKU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 11,107 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or WKU?

  • Western Kentucky University is 15.3% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($11,112.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 180.1% higher at WKU than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($27,000.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Southern Illinois University ($12,625 vs. $16,990)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 4.2% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($10,622 vs. $11,072)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 9.8% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($11,269 vs. $10,260)

Southern Illinois University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University or WKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WKU or Southern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 15 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1032)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Illinois University (22)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Southern Illinois University (91.5%)

Southern Illinois University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or WKU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WKU and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (50% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $10,700 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $37,100)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,250)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($232 vs. $250)
  • More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/