EIU vs. Western Illinois University

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

 EIU Western Illinois University
Location Charleston, IL Macomb, IL
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 8,857 7,643
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #672 #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eiu.edu wiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 EIU Western Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $9,709 $9,515
Tuition (Out of State) $12,136 $9,515
Room & Board $10,812 $10,500
Avg Net Price $13,380 $11,213
Avg Grant Aid $11,773 $15,632
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

 EIU Western Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,584 9,219
Admitted 7,873 6,914
Acceptance Rate 68% 75%
Enrolled % 11.1% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 900/1120 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

Academics

 EIU Western Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

 EIU Western Illinois University
Graduation Rate 59% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,500 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,650 $24,704
Median Loan Payment $244 $255

Diversity

 EIU Western Illinois University
% Men 42% 43%
% Women 58% 57%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 62%
% Black 19% 19%
% Hispanic 6% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 EIU Western Illinois University
% In-State 91% 89%
% Out-of-State 7% 10%

Campus

 EIU 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

  • Eastern Illinois University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (8,857 students vs. 7,643 students)

EIU vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or Western Illinois University?

  • Eastern Illinois University is 2% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($9,709.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.5% higher at EIU than Western Illinois University ($12,136.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than EIU ($11,213 vs. $13,380)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 3% lower than costs at Eastern Illinois University ($10,500 vs. $10,812)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 32.8% larger than aid received Eastern Illinois University ($15,632 vs. $11,773)

EIU vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU .

  • The average SAT score at Eastern Illinois University (1010) is 40 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming EIU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at EIU (3.39)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than EIU (68%)

EIU vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EIU 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 EIU.

  • The graduation rate at EIU is higher than Western Illinois University (59% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $2,500 more per year than EIU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $43,500)
  • Eastern Illinois University students graduate with a $1,054 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($23,650 vs. $24,704)
  • EIU graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($244 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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