Southern Illinois University-Carbondale vs Western Illinois University: which has better ROI?
Western Illinois University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,748 in 8.9 years versus 10.6 years at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, on median earnings of $54,163 vs $53,390 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Western Illinois University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,297 | $12,937 |
| Total net cost | $53,188 | $51,748 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,390 | $54,163 |
| Median debt | $21,543 | $25,251 |
| Payback | 10.6 yrs | 8.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $47,412 | $64,312 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale or Western Illinois University?
Western Illinois University, at $12,937 a year after aid versus $13,297 — a gap of $360 a year, or $1,440 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Southern Illinois University-Carbondale or Western Illinois University graduates earn more?
Western Illinois University graduates report a median $54,163 ten years after entry, $773 more than the $53,390 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale or Western Illinois University?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale: its completers carry a median $21,543 in federal loans versus $25,251 at Western Illinois University, a difference of $3,708. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
62% of students finish at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, against 45% at Western Illinois University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.