Western Illinois University vs. Southern University and A & M College

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Southern University and A & M College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or Southern University and A & M College 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. Southern University and A & M College comparison
Western Illinois University Southern University and A & M College College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Southern University and A & M College
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Overview

Western Illinois University Southern University and A & M College
Location Macomb, IL Baton Rouge, LA
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,643 7,320
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #1019
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu subr.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Southern University and A & M College
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $4,979
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $4,979
Room & Board $10,500 $9,366
Avg Net Price $11,213 $16,959
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $7,514
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 88%

Admission

Western Illinois University Southern University and A & M College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 10,609
Admitted 6,914 5,718
Acceptance Rate 75% 53.9%
Enrolled % 15.5% 29.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 15/19
SAT Range 880/1090 820/1000
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University Southern University and A & M College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Southern University and A & M College
Graduation Rate 53% 19%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $38,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 25%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $30,750
Median Loan Payment $255 $317

Diversity

Western Illinois University Southern University and A & M College
% Men 43% 38%
% Women 57% 74%
Racial Diversity Medium Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 62% 2%
% Black 19% 93%
% Hispanic 11% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Western Illinois University Southern University and A & M College
% In-State 89% 67%
% Out-of-State 10% 33%

Campus

Western Illinois University Southern University and A & M College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Southern University and A & M College based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 7,320 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Southern University and A & M College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Southern University and A & M College?

  • Western Illinois University is 91.1% more expensive to attend than Southern University and A & M College for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $4,979.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 91.1% higher at Western Illinois University than Southern University and A & M College ($9,515.00 vs. $4,979.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Southern University and A & M College ($11,213 vs. $16,959)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern University and A & M College are 12.1% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,366 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Southern University and A & M College (94% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 108% larger than aid received Southern University and A & M College ($15,632 vs. $7,514)

Western Illinois University vs. Southern University and A & M College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Southern University and A & M College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southern University and A & M College or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 59 points higher than at Southern University and A & M College (911)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Southern University and A & M College (19)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Southern University and A & M College (3.1)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Southern University and A & M College (53.9%)

Western Illinois University vs. Southern University and A & M College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Southern University and A & M College? 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 Southern University and A & M College and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Southern University and A & M College (53% vs. 19%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $8,000 more per year than Southern University and A & M College graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $38,000)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $6,046 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern University and A & M College graduates. ($24,704 vs. $30,750)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than Southern University and A & M College graduates. ($255 vs. $317)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern University and A & M College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 25%)

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