Columbus State vs. Western Illinois University

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

Columbus State University
Western Illinois University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 99.1%). Typical SAT 990 vs 930.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbus State. Average net price is $12,420 vs $14,208 at Western Illinois University.
  • Graduation: Columbus State 31% vs Western Illinois University 53%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Columbus State $37,400 vs Western Illinois University $46,000 (median).
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Key differences

Columbus State University Western Illinois University
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Columbus State99.1%
Western Illinois University71.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Illinois University higher
Columbus State800-1060
Western Illinois University880-1090
Average net price
Columbus State $1,788 less
Columbus State$12,420
Western Illinois University$14,208
In-state tuition
Columbus State $9,366 less
Columbus State$5,898
Western Illinois University$15,264
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $2,346 less
Columbus State$17,610
Western Illinois University$15,264
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +22 pts
Columbus State31%
Western Illinois University53%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$8,600
Columbus State$37,400
Western Illinois University$46,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Columbus State 3,648
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • Admitted
  • Columbus State 3,616
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • Acceptance rate
  • Columbus State 99.1%
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Columbus State 31.8%
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbus State 930
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbus State 19
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Columbus State 3.07
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • Typical high school grades
  • Columbus State B
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Columbus State Extremely Easy
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Columbus State
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • SAT range
  • Columbus State 800-1060
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • ACT range
  • Columbus State 16-22
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Columbus State Test optional
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Columbus State Jun 30, 2027
  • Western Illinois University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Columbus State $5,898
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Columbus State $17,610
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Room & board
  • Columbus State $11,720
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • Average net price
  • Columbus State $12,420
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • Average grant aid
  • Columbus State $9,003
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Columbus State 89%
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Graduation rate
  • Columbus State 31%
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Columbus State $37,400
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Columbus State 37%
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Columbus State $26,000
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • Median loan payment
  • Columbus State $268
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Columbus State 16:1
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Columbus State
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • English and Literature (4%)
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • Columbus State Columbus, GA
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • Setting
  • Columbus State Midsize City
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbus State 7,913
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • Type
  • Columbus State Public 4 Year
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Columbus State #1007
  • Western Illinois University #571

Comparable Facts

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

Columbus State University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
  • Columbus 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: Columbus State University 16:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 3.4% lower than at Columbus State University ($11,320 vs. $11,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at Columbus State than at Western Illinois University (about $2,346 more per year; $17,610 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbus State University than at Western Illinois University (89% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 66.5% larger than aid received by Columbus State University students ($14,994 vs. $9,003).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Western Illinois University than at Columbus State (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Columbus State, test-free at Western Illinois University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at Columbus State (3.07).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $1,296 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($24,704 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($255 vs. $268).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 37%).

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

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