SIUE vs. WKU

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Western Kentucky University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WKU (93.9% admitted vs 97.5%). Typical SAT 950 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $17,115 at SIUE.
  • Graduation: SIUE 52% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SIUE $47,000 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
SIUE97.5%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SIUE higher
SIUE950-1190
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $4,567 less
SIUE$17,115
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $1,270 less
SIUE$12,922
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
SIUE $14,078 less
SIUE$12,922
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
SIUE +2 pts
SIUE52%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
SIUE +$9,900
SIUE$47,000
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SIUE 10,150
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • SIUE 9,896
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • SIUE 97.5%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SIUE 15.7%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SIUE 1070
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • SIUE 23
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • SIUE 3.54
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • SIUE A-
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • SIUE Moderate
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • SIUE
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • SIUE 950-1190
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • SIUE 20-27
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • SIUE Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SIUE May 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SIUE $12,922
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SIUE $12,922
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • SIUE $14,490
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • SIUE $17,115
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • SIUE $11,602
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SIUE 91%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • SIUE 52%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SIUE $47,000
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • SIUE 61%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SIUE $21,430
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • SIUE $221
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SIUE 15:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • SIUE
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • SIUE Edwardsville, IL
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • SIUE Large Suburban
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • SIUE 11,893
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • SIUE Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SIUE #516
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, 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 SIUE based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 11,893 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 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 Edwardsville 15:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 13.2% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($12,582 vs. $14,490).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 108.9% higher at WKU than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $14,078 more per year; $27,000 vs. $12,922).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (99% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,602 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at SIUE than at WKU (23 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SIUE and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SIUE average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $2,820 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,430 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($221 vs. $250).
  • More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 47%).

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

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