Rockford University vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Rockford University in Rockford, IL 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 Rockford University based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,241 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rockford University is located in Rockford, IL (Midsize City setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Rockford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rockford University 10:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 0.9% lower than at Rockford University ($11,320 vs. $11,420).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.5% higher at Rockford University than at Western Illinois University (about $22,516 more per year; $37,780 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rockford University than at Western Illinois University (98% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rockford University students is 71.2% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($25,671 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Western Illinois University than at Rockford University (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Rockford University, test-free at Western Illinois University.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at Rockford University (3.25).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Rockford University vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $296 lower median loan debt than Rockford University graduates ($24,704 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.