Blackburn College vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Blackburn College vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College 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 Western Illinois University than Blackburn College ($14,208 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 12.4% lower than at Western Illinois University ($9,915 vs. $11,320).
• Blackburn College is 84.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $12,885 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.4% higher at Blackburn College than at Western Illinois University (about $12,885 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($19,456 vs. $14,994).

Blackburn College vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College 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 Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is 20 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Blackburn College vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College 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 Blackburn College's (48%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $1,296 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($24,704 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($255 vs. $268).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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.