Illinois College vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Illinois College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College or WMU? 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 Western Michigan University than Illinois College ($17,331 vs. $17,375).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois College are 1.2% lower than at Western Michigan University ($12,026 vs. $12,174).
• Illinois College is 153.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $23,424 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.2% higher at Illinois College than at Western Michigan University (about $19,642 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 186.1% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($31,609 vs. $11,048).

Illinois College vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois College or WMU? 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 WMU and Illinois College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 80 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Illinois College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Illinois College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Illinois College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College and WMU? 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).

• Illinois College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Illinois College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 54%)

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.