Northeastern Illinois University vs. Western Illinois University

Should I go to Northeastern Illinois University or Western Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northeastern Illinois 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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Northeastern Illinois University vs. Western Illinois University comparison
Northeastern Illinois University Western Illinois University College 3 College 4
Northeastern Illinois University Western Illinois University
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Overview

Northeastern Illinois University Western Illinois University
Location Chicago, IL Macomb, IL
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 5,756 7,643
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu wiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University Western Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $9,515
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $9,515
Room & Board $10,742 $10,500
Avg Net Price $14,262 $11,213
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $15,632
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 94%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University Western Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 9,219
Admitted 2,886 6,914
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 75%
Enrolled % 17.9% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.45
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21 18/24
SAT Range 810/1010 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 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University Western Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University Western Illinois University
Graduation Rate 23% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $24,704
Median Loan Payment $149 $255

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University Western Illinois University
% Men 39% 43%
% Women 61% 57%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 33% 62%
% Black 10% 19%
% Hispanic 37% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University Western Illinois University
% In-State 97% 89%
% Out-of-State 2% 10%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 5,756 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

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

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 6.1% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 112.1% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than Western Illinois University ($20,182.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Northeastern Illinois University ($11,213 vs. $14,262)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 2.3% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($10,500 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Northeastern Illinois University (94% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 3.2% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($15,632 vs. $15,143)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 100 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (53% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $6,000 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $10,204 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($14,500 vs. $24,704)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $106 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($149 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 56%)

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