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SIUE Northern Illinois Eastern Murray State University Kentucky Louisville ISU UTC Southeast Missouri State University Illinois EIU WMU| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Western Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| 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 | ||
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| 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 | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 18:1 | ||
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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/