Aurora University vs. Western Illinois University

Should I go to Aurora University or Western Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Aurora University or Western Illinois University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Aurora University vs. Western Illinois University comparison
Aurora University Western Illinois University College 3 College 4
Aurora University Western Illinois University
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Overview

Aurora University Western Illinois University
Location Aurora, IL Macomb, IL
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 5,918 7,643
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #851 #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website aurora.edu wiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Aurora University Western Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $27,200 $9,515
Tuition (Out of State) $27,200 $9,515
Room & Board $12,360 $10,500
Avg Net Price $19,350 $11,213
Avg Grant Aid $19,830 $15,632
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Aurora University Western Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,922 9,219
Admitted 2,393 6,914
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 75%
Enrolled % 28.1% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 980/1198 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

Aurora University Western Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Aurora University Western Illinois University
Graduation Rate 44% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,900 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,337 $24,704
Median Loan Payment $230 $255

Diversity

Aurora University Western Illinois University
% Men 29% 43%
% Women 71% 57%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 56% 62%
% Black 8% 19%
% Hispanic 25% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 2%

Students

Aurora University Western Illinois University
% In-State 84% 89%
% Out-of-State 15% 10%

Campus

Aurora University Western Illinois University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Aurora University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 5,918 students)

Aurora University vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Aurora University or Western Illinois University?

  • Aurora University is 185.9% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($27,200.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 185.9% higher at Aurora University than Western Illinois University ($27,200.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Aurora University ($11,213 vs. $19,350)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 17.7% lower than costs at Aurora University ($10,500 vs. $12,360)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Aurora University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aurora University students is 26.9% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($19,830 vs. $15,632)

Aurora University vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Aurora University or Western Illinois University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Western Illinois University or Aurora University .

  • The average SAT score at Aurora University (990) is 20 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Aurora University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Aurora University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • Aurora University has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Aurora University vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Aurora University or Western Illinois University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Western Illinois University and Aurora University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Aurora University (53% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Aurora University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $42,900)
  • Aurora University students graduate with a $2,367 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($22,337 vs. $24,704)
  • Aurora University graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($230 vs. $255)
  • More Aurora University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/