Southern Illinois University vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 11,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Southern Illinois University vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or WMU? 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 WMU ($13,473 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 1.4% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($12,174 vs. $12,341).
• Western Michigan University is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Illinois University (about $1,918 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.7% higher at WMU than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $5,700 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Western Michigan University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 23.2% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($13,610 vs. $11,048).

Southern Illinois University vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 80 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Southern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Illinois University - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• 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 (86.9%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Southern Illinois University vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Illinois University and WMU? 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 Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale's (44%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Southern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $4,133 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.