Clayton State University vs. Western Illinois University

Should I go to Clayton State University or Western Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clayton State 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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Clayton State University vs. Western Illinois University comparison
Clayton State University Western Illinois University College 3 College 4
Clayton  State University Western Illinois University
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Overview

Clayton State University Western Illinois University
Location Morrow, GA Macomb, IL
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 5,847 7,643
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #988 #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clayton.edu wiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clayton State University Western Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $9,515
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $9,515
Room & Board $10,980 $10,500
Avg Net Price $9,792 $11,213
Avg Grant Aid $8,529 $15,632
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

Clayton State University Western Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,255 9,219
Admitted 1,270 6,914
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 75%
Enrolled % 45.6% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.0 3.45
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22 18/24
SAT Range 890/1090 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 Jul 17, 2025

Academics

Clayton State University Western Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Clayton State University Western Illinois University
Graduation Rate 27% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 35% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $24,704
Median Loan Payment $284 $255

Diversity

Clayton State University Western Illinois University
% Men 31% 43%
% Women 69% 57%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 18% 62%
% Black 66% 19%
% Hispanic 3% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

Clayton State University Western Illinois University
% In-State 93% 89%
% Out-of-State 4% 10%

Campus

Clayton State 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 Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 5,847 students)

Clayton State University vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or Western Illinois University?

  • Western Illinois University is 134.1% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 55.4% higher at Clayton State University than Western Illinois University ($14,786.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than Western Illinois University ($9,792 vs. $11,213)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 4.6% lower than costs at Clayton State University ($10,500 vs. $10,980)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clayton State University than Western Illinois University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 83.3% larger than aid received Clayton State University ($15,632 vs. $8,529)

Clayton State University vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clayton State 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 Clayton State University .

  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Clayton State University (3.0)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Clayton State University (56.3%)

Clayton State University vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clayton State 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 Clayton State University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Clayton State University (53% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $4,200 more per year than Clayton State University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $41,800)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $2,796 lower median federal student loan debt than Clayton State University graduates. ($24,704 vs. $27,500)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Clayton State University graduates. ($255 vs. $284)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 35%)

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