Georgia Southwestern vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, GA 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 Georgia Southwestern based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 3,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia Southwestern State University is located in Americus, GA (Distant Town setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Georgia Southwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia Southwestern State University 18:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Georgia Southwestern vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern State University than Western Illinois University ($11,769 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southwestern State University are 4.2% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,850 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 192.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Southwestern (about $10,044 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Georgia Southwestern than at Western Illinois University (about $1,308 more per year; $16,572.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia Southwestern State University than at Western Illinois University (91% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 64.7% larger than aid received by Georgia Southwestern State University students ($14,994 vs. $9,104).

Georgia Southwestern vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia Southwestern State University (1000) is 10 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Georgia Southwestern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 890/1110; Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 16/22; Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia Southwestern - Test optional; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Southwestern Jul 21, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Georgia Southwestern (3.17).
• Georgia Southwestern has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.5% at Georgia Southwestern vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Georgia Southwestern vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia Southwestern 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).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Georgia Southwestern State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Georgia Southwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Southwestern State University graduates have a $2,704 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Georgia Southwestern graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($227 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia Southwestern students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 45%)

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.