Southern Illinois University vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 11,790 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 1.9% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,341 vs. $12,582).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.5% higher at WKU than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $13,666 more per year; $27,000 vs. $13,334).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 24.6% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($13,610 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Southern Illinois University than at WKU (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Southern Illinois University and WKU.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Southern Illinois University vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Southern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($232 vs. $250).
• More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (51% vs. 47%).

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