Rockford University vs. Western Illinois University

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

Rockford University Western Illinois University
Location Rockford, IL Macomb, IL
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 1,181 7,643
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #810 #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rockford.edu wiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Rockford University Western Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $34,750 $9,515
Tuition (Out of State) $34,750 $9,515
Room & Board $10,410 $10,500
Avg Net Price $25,047 $11,213
Avg Grant Aid $21,056 $15,632
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 94%

Admission

Rockford University Western Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,779 9,219
Admitted 1,526 6,914
Acceptance Rate 54.9% 75%
Enrolled % 11% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.25 3.45
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 12/20 18/24
SAT Range 840/1086 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

Rockford University Western Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (27%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Rockford University Western Illinois University
Graduation Rate 31% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,704
Median Loan Payment $258 $255

Diversity

Rockford University Western Illinois University
% Men 45% 43%
% Women 55% 57%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 62%
% Black 9% 19%
% Hispanic 14% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 2%

Students

Rockford University Western Illinois University
% In-State 70% 89%
% Out-of-State 26% 10%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Rockford University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 1,181 students)

Rockford University vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

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

  • Rockford University is 265.2% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($34,750.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 265.2% higher at Rockford University than Western Illinois University ($34,750.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Rockford University ($11,213 vs. $25,047)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rockford University are 0.9% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($10,410 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rockford University than Western Illinois University (95% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rockford University students is 34.7% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($21,056 vs. $15,632)

Rockford University vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Rockford University (1007) is 37 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Rockford University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Rockford University (3.25)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Rockford University (54.9%)

Rockford University vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rockford 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 Rockford University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Rockford University (53% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $1,400 more per year than Rockford University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $44,600)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $296 lower median federal student loan debt than Rockford University graduates. ($24,704 vs. $25,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Rockford University graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rockford University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

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