Western Illinois University (WIU) vs Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE)
Western Illinois University (WIU) and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) are two public universities in Illinois with distinct characteristics. WIU, located in Macomb, has a smaller student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to SIUE, which is situated in Edwardsville. While both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, WIU is known for its strong programs in education, business, and fine arts, while SIUE excels in engineering, nursing, and business. Additionally, SIUE has a more diverse student body and a higher graduation rate than WIU. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these differences and more. Explore the table to discover which university better aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville |
![]() Western Illinois University |
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Overview |
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Location | Edwardsville, Illinois | Macomb, Illinois |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 74.0% | 72.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 98.1% | 72.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$40
|
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
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SAT range | 920 - 1160 | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 49.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 26.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 8,995 | 7,156 |
Total number of admissions given out | 8,821 | 5,187 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,992 | 920 |
Yield rate | 22.6% | 17.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $26,007 | $29,140 |
Average net price | $15,519 | $11,666 |
Tuition | $9,123 | $9,238 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,290
Meal plan:
$4,920
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Room/dormitory:
$6,240
Meal plan:
$3,952
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $8,667 |
94.0%
Average amount $13,937 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
46.0%
Average amount $5,063 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,417 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $10,038 |
5.0%
Average amount $9,533 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,967
Men 42.8% Women 57.2% |
5,394
Men 43.5% Women 56.5% |
Graduate students |
3,043
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
2,061
Men 42.9% Women 57.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 16.6% | 9.7% |
International students | 4.1% | 8.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 3,006 | 3,083 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Illinois Missouri Texas California Indiana | Illinois Iowa Missouri Wisconsin Indiana |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 51.8% | 50.9% |
Dropout rate | 11.6% | 16.5% |
Transferred out | 32.8% | 31.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees)
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