Dominican vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University in River Forest, 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 Dominican based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 3,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University 12:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Dominican vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dominican 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 Dominican University than Western Illinois University ($13,402 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 11% lower than at Dominican University ($11,320 vs. $12,716).
• Dominican University is 155.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $23,714 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.4% higher at Dominican than at Western Illinois University (about $23,714 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 105.1% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($30,756 vs. $14,994).

Dominican vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dominican 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 Dominican.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University (990) is the same as at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Dominican students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Western Illinois University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 880/1100; Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 16/26; Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dominican - Test optional; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dominican Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• Dominican has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Dominican vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Dominican vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dominican 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).

• Dominican University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from Dominican University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $296 lower median loan debt than Dominican graduates ($24,704 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dominican graduates ($255 vs. $258).
• More Dominican graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)

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.