Western Illinois University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 2.6% lower than at Western Illinois University ($11,028 vs. $11,320).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.3% higher at Western Illinois University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $4,903 more per year; $15,264 vs. $10,361).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Western Illinois University (94% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 72.9% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($14,994 vs. $8,674).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Western Illinois University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at Southwest Minnesota State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $3,026 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($21,678 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.