EIU vs. FWBBC

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with Welch College in Gallatin, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than FWBBC based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 389 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Welch College is in Gallatin, TN (Large City setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Welch College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Welch College 8:1.

EIU vs. FWBBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or FWBBC? 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 FWBBC ($13,787 vs. $21,157).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Welch College are 29.4% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($8,668 vs. $12,282).
• Welch College is 56.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than EIU (about $7,721 more per year; $21,400.00 vs. $13,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32% higher at FWBBC than at Eastern Illinois University (about $5,183 more per year; $21,400.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Welch College than at Eastern Illinois University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Welch College students is 19.3% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($15,462 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. FWBBC Admissions comparison

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

• Welch College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; FWBBC - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at FWBBC (3.34).

EIU vs. FWBBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and FWBBC? 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 Welch College's (42%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than FWBBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $31,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Welch College graduates have a $1,380 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($22,270 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, FWBBC graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($230 vs. $244).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FWBBC students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 50%)

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.