SIUE vs. KWC

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SIUE vs. KWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE or KWC? 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 KWC ($17,115 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 18.2% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($11,855 vs. $14,490).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 168.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $21,751 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 168.3% higher at KWC than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $21,751 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 120.1% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($25,538 vs. $11,602).

SIUE vs. KWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE or KWC? 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 KWC and SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 60 points higher than at KWC (1010).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 19 at KWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; KWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SIUE students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at KWC (3.3).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than KWC (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 17.7% at KWC.

SIUE vs. KWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE and KWC? 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.

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Kentucky Wesleyan College's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than KWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $1,477 lower median loan debt than KWC graduates ($21,430 vs. $22,907).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KWC graduates ($221 vs. $236).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 54%)

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.