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EIU Northern Illinois ISU Southern Illinois University Minnesota State University-Mankato Indiana State SIUE KU University of Illinois at Springfield Central UIC Cleveland State| Western Illinois University | Southwest Minnesota State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Western Illinois University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Location | Macomb, IL | Marshall, MN | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 7,073 | 7,324 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #663 | #910 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wiu.edu | smsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Western Illinois University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,801 | $8,840 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,801 | $8,840 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,920 | $10,666 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,168 | $14,839 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $15,620 | $7,455 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 53% | 91% |
Admission |
Western Illinois University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 8,479 | 2,630 | ||
| Admitted | 6,356 | 1,813 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 75% | 68.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.2% | 20.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.45 | 3.21 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 17/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 880/1090 | 935/1102 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 18, 2026 |
Academics |
Western Illinois University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Western Illinois University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 53% | 39% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $46,000 | $41,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 61% | 66% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,704 | $21,678 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $255 | $224 |
Diversity |
Western Illinois University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 12% | 2% | ||
| % Women | 17% | 4% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 62% | 80% | ||
| % Black | 19% | 5% | ||
| % Hispanic | 11% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 2% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 2% |
Students |
Western Illinois University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 90% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 8% | 20% | ||
Campus |
Western Illinois University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | Yes | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (7,324 students vs. 7,073 students)
Western Illinois University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Western Illinois University is 10.9% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($9,801.00 vs. $8,840.00)
- Out of state tuition is 10.9% higher at Western Illinois University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($9,801.00 vs. $8,840.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($12,168 vs. $14,839)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 2.4% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($10,666 vs. $10,920)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than Western Illinois University (91% vs. 53%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 109.5% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($15,620 vs. $7,455)
Western Illinois University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Southwest Minnesota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southwest Minnesota State University or Western Illinois University .
- The average SAT score at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008) is 38 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
- Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
- Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
- Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (68.9%)
Western Illinois University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Western Illinois University or Southwest Minnesota 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and Western Illinois University.
- The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (53% vs. 39%)
- Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $4,800 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $41,200)
- Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $3,026 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $24,704)
- Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($224 vs. $255)
- More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/