National Louis University vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare National Louis University in Chicago, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

National Louis University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (8,915 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• National Louis University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• National Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: National Louis University 17:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 23% lower than at National Louis University ($11,320 vs. $14,700).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.1% higher at Western Illinois University than at National Louis University (about $2,559 more per year; $15,264 vs. $12,705).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at National Louis University than at Western Illinois University (83% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 35.6% larger than aid received by National Louis University students ($14,994 vs. $11,056).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both National Louis University and Western Illinois University.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.65 higher than at National Louis University (2.8).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at National Louis University vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, National Louis University graduates have a $4,867 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($19,837 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, National Louis University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($205 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National Louis University students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 44%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.