SIUE vs. IWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with Indiana Wesleyan University Marion in Marion, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 2,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is in Marion, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 12:1.

SIUE vs. IWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE or IWU? 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 Edwardsville than IWU ($17,115 vs. $23,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 25% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($10,868 vs. $14,490).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is 150.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $19,430 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150.4% higher at IWU than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $19,430 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students is 84.5% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($21,405 vs. $11,602).

SIUE vs. IWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE or IWU? 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 IWU and SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is the same as at IWU (1070).
• Incoming SIUE students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at IWU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; IWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at SIUE (3.54).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than IWU (88.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 17% at IWU.

SIUE vs. IWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE and IWU? 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's (52%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than SIUE graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $2,674 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($21,430 vs. $24,104).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($221 vs. $249).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 55%)

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.