SIUE vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than SIUE based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 11,893 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

SIUE vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE or WKU? 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 Western Kentucky University than SIUE ($12,548 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 13.2% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($12,582 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 10.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $1,270 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.9% higher at WKU than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $14,078 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,602 vs. $10,921).

SIUE vs. WKU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 120 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WKU (3.42).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 30.2% at WKU.

SIUE vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE and WKU? 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).

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $2,820 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,430 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($221 vs. $250).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

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.