Lewis University vs. Western Illinois University

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

Lewis University Western Illinois University
Location Romeoville, IL Macomb, IL
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 6,513 7,643
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #345 #579
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lewisu.edu wiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lewis University Western Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $36,320 $9,515
Tuition (Out of State) $36,320 $9,515
Room & Board $11,956 $10,500
Avg Net Price $19,184 $11,213
Avg Grant Aid $26,423 $15,632
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Lewis University Western Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,746 9,219
Admitted 3,515 6,914
Acceptance Rate 74.1% 75%
Enrolled % 17.2% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/29 18/24
SAT Range 1010/1200 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

Lewis University Western Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Transportation and Materials Moving (9%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Lewis University Western Illinois University
Graduation Rate 63% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,500 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,625 $24,704
Median Loan Payment $254 $255

Diversity

Lewis University Western Illinois University
% Men 50% 43%
% Women 50% 57%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 64% 62%
% Black 6% 19%
% Hispanic 19% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Lewis University Western Illinois University
% In-State 83% 89%
% Out-of-State 13% 10%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Lewis University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 6,513 students)

Lewis University vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lewis University or Western Illinois University?

  • Lewis University is 281.7% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($36,320.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 281.7% higher at Lewis University than Western Illinois University ($36,320.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Lewis University ($11,213 vs. $19,184)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 13.9% lower than costs at Lewis University ($10,500 vs. $11,956)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lewis University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lewis University students is 69% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($26,423 vs. $15,632)

Lewis University vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lewis University 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 Lewis University .

  • The average SAT score at Lewis University (1051) is 81 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Lewis University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Lewis University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Lewis University (74.1%)

Lewis University vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lewis University 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 Lewis University.

  • The graduation rate at Lewis University is higher than Western Illinois University (63% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Lewis University earn on average $5,500 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($51,500 vs. $46,000)
  • Lewis University students graduate with a $79 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($24,625 vs. $24,704)
  • Lewis University graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($254 vs. $255)
  • More Lewis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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