ISU vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 6,332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Illinois 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: Illinois State University 19:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

ISU vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 Western Illinois University than ISU ($14,208 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 3.7% lower than at Illinois State University ($11,320 vs. $11,754).
• Illinois State University is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $880 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.8% higher at ISU than at Western Illinois University (about $12,946 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at Western Illinois University (96% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 15.6% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($14,994 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 110 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming ISU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Western Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

ISU vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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).

• Illinois State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $2,704 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($227 vs. $255).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

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.