WestConn vs. SIUE

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1.

WestConn vs. SIUE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or SIUE? 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 WestConn ($17,115 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are 7.5% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($14,490 vs. $15,659).
• Western Connecticut State University is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $479 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.8% higher at WestConn than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $3,979 more per year; $16,901.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than at Western Connecticut State University (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 10.9% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($12,870 vs. $11,602).

WestConn vs. SIUE Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 40 points higher than at SIUE (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; SIUE - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WestConn (3.38).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 15.7% at SIUE.

WestConn vs. SIUE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and SIUE? 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 Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than SIUE graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $3,570 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($21,430 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($221 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SIUE students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 61%)

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.