EIU vs. EWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than EIU based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 8,505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Eastern Washington University is in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Eastern Washington University 18:1.

EIU vs. EWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or EWU? 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 Eastern Illinois University than EWU ($13,787 vs. $14,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 21.1% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($12,282 vs. $15,574).
• Eastern Illinois University is 59.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than EWU (about $5,093 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $8,586.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.1% higher at EWU than at Eastern Illinois University (about $9,742 more per year; $25,959.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at Eastern Washington University (95% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 29.6% larger than aid received by Eastern Washington University students ($12,960 vs. $10,001).

EIU vs. EWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or EWU? 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 EWU and EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Illinois University (990) is the same as at EWU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Eastern Washington University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsEastern Washington University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; EWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: EWU Sep 10, 2026.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at EWU (3.29).
• EWU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 22.7% at EWU.

EIU vs. EWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and EWU? 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Eastern Washington University's (46%).
• Graduates from Eastern Washington University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $2,832 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($20,818 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($215 vs. $244).
• More EWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 59%)

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.