Southern Illinois University vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 8.3% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($11,320 vs. $12,341).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at Western Illinois University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $1,930 more per year; $15,264 vs. $13,334).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Western Illinois University (95% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students ($14,994 vs. $13,610).

Admissions details

• Incoming Southern Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at Western Illinois University (21).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Southern Illinois University, test-free at Western Illinois University.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $2,204 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($232 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 51%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.