SIUE vs. Bellarmine University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than Bellarmine University based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 2,886 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Bellarmine University is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bellarmine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Bellarmine University 12:1.

SIUE vs. Bellarmine University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE or Bellarmine University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than Bellarmine University ($17,115 vs. $23,165).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 25.1% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($10,850 vs. $14,490).
• Bellarmine University is 277.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $35,848 more per year; $48,770.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 277.4% higher at Bellarmine University than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $35,848 more per year; $48,770.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bellarmine University than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 236.2% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($39,001 vs. $11,602).

SIUE vs. Bellarmine University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE or Bellarmine University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bellarmine University and SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Bellarmine University (1140) is 70 points higher than at SIUE (1070).
• Incoming Bellarmine University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at SIUE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Bellarmine University 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Bellarmine University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; Bellarmine University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027; Bellarmine University Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SIUE students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Bellarmine University (3.42).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than Bellarmine University (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 13.1% at Bellarmine University.

SIUE vs. Bellarmine University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE and Bellarmine University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bellarmine University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's (52%).
• Graduates from Bellarmine University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than SIUE graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,300 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $3,570 lower median loan debt than Bellarmine University graduates ($21,430 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bellarmine University graduates ($221 vs. $258).
• More Bellarmine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SIUE students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.