CSU vs. Western Illinois University

Chicago State University and Western Illinois University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Chicago State University
Western Illinois University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CSU (43.3% admitted vs 71.2%). Typical SAT 860 vs 990.
  • Cheaper after aid: CSU. Average net price is $10,441 vs $14,208 at Western Illinois University.
  • Graduation: CSU 21% vs Western Illinois University 53%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $38,300 vs Western Illinois University $46,000 (median).
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Key differences

Chicago State University Western Illinois University
Acceptance rate
CSU more selective
CSU43.3%
Western Illinois University71.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Illinois University higher
CSU750-963
Western Illinois University880-1090
Average net price
CSU $3,767 less
CSU$10,441
Western Illinois University$14,208
In-state tuition
CSU $2,510 less
CSU$12,754
Western Illinois University$15,264
Out-of-state tuition
CSU $2,510 less
CSU$12,754
Western Illinois University$15,264
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +32 pts
CSU21%
Western Illinois University53%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$7,700
CSU$38,300
Western Illinois University$46,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CSU 10,638
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • Admitted
  • CSU 4,602
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 43.3%
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 3.8%
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 860
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 17
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.18
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Extremely Easy
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU Low
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • SAT range
  • CSU 750-963
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • ACT range
  • CSU 15-19
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CSU
  • Western Illinois University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $12,754
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $12,754
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Room & board
  • CSU $11,550
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • Average net price
  • CSU $10,441
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $18,194
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 99%
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 21%
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $38,300
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 25%
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $31,250
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $323
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 9:1
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Education (7%)
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chicago, IL
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • Setting
  • CSU Large City
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 2,238
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #814
  • Western Illinois University #571

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 2,238 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
  • Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 2% lower than at Chicago State University ($11,320 vs. $11,550).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.7% higher at Western Illinois University than at Chicago State University (about $2,510 more per year; $15,264 vs. $12,754).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Western Illinois University (99% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($18,194 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Western Illinois University than at CSU (21 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and Western Illinois University.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at CSU (3.18).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $6,546 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($24,704 vs. $31,250).
  • Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($255 vs. $323).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 25%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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