Southern Illinois University vs. WMU

Should I go to Southern Illinois University Carbondale or Western Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Illinois University or WMU 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.

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale vs. Western Michigan University comparison
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Western Michigan University College 3 College 4
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Western Michigan University
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Overview

Southern Illinois University WMU
Location Carbondale, IL Kalamazoo, MI
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 11,107 17,000
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #467 #634
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu wmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University WMU
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $14,523
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $18,154
Room & Board $10,622 $11,102
Avg Net Price $16,990 $20,030
Avg Grant Aid $11,269 $6,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 93%

Admission

Southern Illinois University WMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,771 20,501
Admitted 8,940 17,334
Acceptance Rate 91.5% 84.6%
Enrolled % 17% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27 19/27
SAT Range 900/1140 990/1220
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

Academics

Southern Illinois University WMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University WMU
Graduation Rate 44% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $26,633
Median Loan Payment $232 $275

Diversity

Southern Illinois University WMU
% Men 49% 47%
% Women 51% 53%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 72%
% Black 19% 12%
% Hispanic 8% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Illinois University WMU
% In-State 81% 79%
% Out-of-State 17% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 11,107 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. WMU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Michigan University is 50.7% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($14,523.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 88.4% higher at WMU than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($18,154.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than WMU ($16,990 vs. $20,030)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 4.5% lower than costs at Western Michigan University ($10,622 vs. $11,102)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than Western Michigan University (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 65.4% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($11,269 vs. $6,813)

Southern Illinois University vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 2 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming Southern Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than WMU (84.6%)

Southern Illinois University vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University or WMU? 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 WMU and Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at WMU is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (56% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $1,100 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $47,800)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $4,133 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,633)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($232 vs. $275)
  • More WMU 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/