Lewis-Clark State College vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lewis Clark State College in Lewiston, ID 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 Lewis-Clark State College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 3,801 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lewis Clark State College is located in Lewiston, ID (Small City setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Lewis Clark State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lewis Clark State College 16:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Lewis-Clark State College vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lewis-Clark State College 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 Lewis-Clark State College ($14,208 vs. $15,917).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 9.4% lower than at Lewis Clark State College ($11,320 vs. $12,492).
• Western Illinois University is 100.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lewis-Clark State College (about $7,654 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $7,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.3% higher at Lewis-Clark State College than at Western Illinois University (about $6,764 more per year; $22,028.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lewis Clark State College than at Western Illinois University (88% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 103.4% larger than aid received by Lewis Clark State College students ($14,994 vs. $7,371).

Lewis-Clark State College vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lewis-Clark State College 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 Lewis-Clark State College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Illinois University (990) is 10 points higher than at Lewis-Clark State College (980).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lewis Clark State College 850/1110; Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lewis-Clark State College - Test-free; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lewis-Clark State College Aug 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Lewis-Clark State College (3.23).
• Lewis-Clark State College has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Lewis-Clark State College vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Lewis-Clark State College vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lewis-Clark State College 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 Lewis Clark State College's (28%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Lewis-Clark State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lewis Clark State College graduates have a $2,760 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($21,944 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Lewis-Clark State College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($226 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lewis-Clark State College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 55%)

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.