Western Illinois University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Southwest Minnesota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or Southwest Minnesota State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western Illinois University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University comparison
Western Illinois University Southwest Minnesota State University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University
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Overview

Western Illinois University Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Macomb, IL Marshall, MN
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 7,643 6,930
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #948
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $8,840
Room & Board $10,500 $9,258
Avg Net Price $11,213 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 94%

Admission

Western Illinois University Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,558
Admitted 6,914 1,427
Acceptance Rate 75% 91.6%
Enrolled % 15.5% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/23
SAT Range 880/1090 935/1102
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2024

Academics

Western Illinois University Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 53% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $255 $224

Diversity

Western Illinois University Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 43% 38%
% Women 57% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 80%
% Black 19% 5%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Western Illinois University Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 89% 74%
% Out-of-State 10% 20%

Campus

Western Illinois University Southwest Minnesota State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 6,930 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Southwest Minnesota State University?

  • Western Illinois University is 7.6% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.6% higher at Western Illinois University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($9,515.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($11,213 vs. $15,004)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 13.4% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,258 vs. $10,500)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University as Southwest Minnesota State University (94% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 111.6% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($15,632 vs. $7,389)

Western Illinois University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Southwest Minnesota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southwest Minnesota State University or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008) is 38 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Southwest Minnesota State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southwest Minnesota State University and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (53% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $4,800 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $3,026 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $24,704)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($224 vs. $255)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/