Principia College vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 18.6% lower than at Principia College ($11,320 vs. $13,910).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.2% higher at Principia College than at Western Illinois University (about $19,416 more per year; $34,680 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Principia College than at Western Illinois University (90% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 102.8% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($30,402 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

• Incoming Principia College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at Western Illinois University (21).
• SAT or ACT scores are not reported at Principia College, test-free at Western Illinois University.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Principia College (3.34).

Loans and repayment

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