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 table 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.

National Louis University vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, National Louis University 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 National Louis University than Western Illinois University ($13,150 vs. $14,208).
• 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).
• Western Illinois University is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than National Louis University (about $2,559 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.1% higher at Western Illinois University than at National Louis University (about $2,559 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• 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).

National Louis University vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, National Louis University 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 National Louis University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern 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: National Louis University - Test-free; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at National Louis University (2.8).
• National Louis University has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at National Louis University vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

National Louis University vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for National Louis University 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 National Louis University's (26%).
• Graduates from National Louis University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.