Southern Illinois University Edwardsville vs Western Illinois University: which has better ROI?
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $59,556 in 7.5 years versus 8.9 years at Western Illinois University, on median earnings of $56,346 vs $54,163 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Western Illinois University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,889 | $12,937 |
| Total net cost | $59,556 | $51,748 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,346 | $54,163 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $25,251 |
| Payback | 7.5 yrs | 8.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $100,164 | $64,312 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville or Western Illinois University?
Western Illinois University, at $12,937 a year after aid versus $14,889 — a gap of $1,952 a year, or $7,808 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 Edwardsville or Western Illinois University graduates earn more?
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates report a median $56,346 ten years after entry, $2,183 more than the $54,163 at Western Illinois University. 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 Edwardsville or Western Illinois University?
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $25,251 at Western Illinois University, a difference of $4,751. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 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.