Western Illinois University vs. Southeast Missouri State University

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Southeast Missouri State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or Southeast Missouri State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western Illinois University vs. Southeast Missouri State University comparison
Western Illinois University Southeast Missouri State University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Southeast Missouri State University
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Overview

Western Illinois University Southeast Missouri State University
Location Macomb, IL Cape Girardeau, MO
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 7,073 9,686
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #663 #954
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu semo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Southeast Missouri State University
Tuition (In State) $9,801 $8,152
Tuition (Out of State) $9,801 $8,152
Room & Board $10,920 $11,486
Avg Net Price $12,168 $14,843
Avg Grant Aid $15,620 $8,974
% Receiving Grant Aid 53% 93%

Admission

Western Illinois University Southeast Missouri State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,479 7,462
Admitted 6,356 5,858
Acceptance Rate 75% 78.5%
Enrolled % 15.2% 22%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 16/21
SAT Range 880/1090 850/1030
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2026

Academics

Western Illinois University Southeast Missouri State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Southeast Missouri State University
Graduation Rate 53% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $40,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $22,527
Median Loan Payment $255 $232

Diversity

Western Illinois University Southeast Missouri State University
% Men 12% 8%
% Women 17% 9%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 77%
% Black 19% 10%
% Hispanic 11% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 2% 7%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Western Illinois University Southeast Missouri State University
% In-State 90% 76%
% Out-of-State 8% 18%

Campus

Western Illinois University Southeast Missouri State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southeast Missouri State University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (9,686 students vs. 7,073 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Southeast Missouri State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Southeast Missouri State University?

  • Western Illinois University is 20.2% more expensive to attend than Southeast Missouri State University for in-state tuition ($9,801.00 vs. $8,152.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.2% higher at Western Illinois University than Southeast Missouri State University ($9,801.00 vs. $8,152.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Southeast Missouri State University ($12,168 vs. $14,843)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 5.2% lower than costs at Southeast Missouri State University ($10,920 vs. $11,486)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southeast Missouri State University than Western Illinois University (93% vs. 53%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 74.1% larger than aid received Southeast Missouri State University ($15,620 vs. $8,974)

Western Illinois University vs. Southeast Missouri State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Southeast Missouri State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southeast Missouri State University or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Southeast Missouri State University (1050) is 80 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Southeast Missouri State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southeast Missouri State University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • Southeast Missouri State University has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Southeast Missouri State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Southeast Missouri State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southeast Missouri State University and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Southeast Missouri State University (53% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $5,500 more per year than Southeast Missouri State University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $40,500)
  • Southeast Missouri State University students graduate with a $2,177 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($22,527 vs. $24,704)
  • Southeast Missouri State University graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($232 vs. $255)
  • More Southeast Missouri State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/