SIUE vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than Purdue Northwest based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 9,051 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

SIUE vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than SIUE ($7,916 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 38.5% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($8,907 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 49% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $4,247 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.5% higher at Purdue Northwest than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $3,172 more per year; $16,094.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than at Purdue University Northwest (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 65.9% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($11,602 vs. $6,992).

SIUE vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE or Purdue Northwest? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Purdue Northwest and SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 50 points higher than at Purdue Northwest (1020).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027; Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SIUE students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

SIUE vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE and Purdue Northwest? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate is 52%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Purdue Northwest.
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville have median earnings of about $47,000 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Purdue Northwest.

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.