Elmhurst College vs. Western Illinois University

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

Elmhurst College Western Illinois University
Location Elmhurst, IL Macomb, IL
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 3,731 7,643
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #380 #579
Religious Affiliation United Church of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website elmhurst.edu wiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Elmhurst College Western Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $39,862 $9,515
Tuition (Out of State) $39,862 $9,515
Room & Board $11,250 $10,500
Avg Net Price $24,108 $11,213
Avg Grant Aid $27,835 $15,632
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

Elmhurst College Western Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,731 9,219
Admitted 4,356 6,914
Acceptance Rate 76% 75%
Enrolled % 14.2% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.59 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 18/24
SAT Range 980/1240 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

Elmhurst College Western Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Elmhurst College Western Illinois University
Graduation Rate 70% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,200 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $24,704
Median Loan Payment $222 $255

Diversity

Elmhurst College Western Illinois University
% Men 38% 43%
% Women 62% 57%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 62%
% Black 5% 19%
% Hispanic 17% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Elmhurst College Western Illinois University
% In-State 78% 89%
% Out-of-State 13% 10%

Campus

Elmhurst College Western Illinois University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Elmhurst College based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 3,731 students)

Elmhurst College vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elmhurst College or Western Illinois University?

  • Elmhurst College is 318.9% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($39,862.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 318.9% higher at Elmhurst College than Western Illinois University ($39,862.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Elmhurst College ($11,213 vs. $24,108)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 7.1% lower than costs at Elmhurst College ($10,500 vs. $11,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Elmhurst College than Western Illinois University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elmhurst College students is 78.1% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($27,835 vs. $15,632)

Elmhurst College vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elmhurst College 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 Elmhurst College .

  • The average SAT score at Elmhurst College (1090) is 120 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Elmhurst College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Elmhurst College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • Elmhurst College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Elmhurst College vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Elmhurst College 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 Elmhurst College.

  • The graduation rate at Elmhurst College is higher than Western Illinois University (70% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Elmhurst College earn on average $4,200 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($50,200 vs. $46,000)
  • Elmhurst College students graduate with a $3,204 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,704)
  • Elmhurst College graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($222 vs. $255)
  • More Elmhurst College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 61%)

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