SIUE vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 21.9% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($11,320 vs. $14,490).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at Western Illinois University than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $2,342 more per year; $15,264 vs. $12,922).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than at Western Illinois University (91% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 29.2% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($14,994 vs. $11,602).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at SIUE than at Western Illinois University (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at SIUE, test-free at Western Illinois University.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at SIUE average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $3,274 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($21,430 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($221 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SIUE students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 61%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.