ATU vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 6,332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

ATU vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or Western Illinois University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas Tech University than Western Illinois University ($12,626 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 8.7% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,338 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 76% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $6,590 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Western Illinois University than at Arkansas Tech University (about $596 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas Tech University than at Western Illinois University (93% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 51.4% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($14,994 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or Western Illinois University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Western Illinois University and ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arkansas Tech University (990) is the same as at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ATU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at ATU (3.37).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

ATU vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and Western Illinois University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Arkansas Tech University's (43%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $6,954 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($17,750 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($183 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.