SIUE vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, 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 SIUE based on total student enrollment (16,744 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 Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 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 Edwardsville 15:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

SIUE vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE 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 Edwardsville than WMU ($17,115 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 16% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($12,174 vs. $14,490).
• Western Michigan University is 18% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $2,330 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.3% higher at WMU than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $6,112 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 5% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($11,602 vs. $11,048).

SIUE vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE 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 SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 40 points higher than at SIUE (1070).
• Incoming SIUE students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at WMU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WMU (3.5).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 13.5% at WMU.

SIUE vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE 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 Edwardsville's (52%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than SIUE graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $5,203 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($21,430 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($221 vs. $275).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 54%)

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.