UIC vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 6,332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

UIC vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC 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 University of Illinois Chicago than Western Illinois University ($10,852 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 31.4% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($11,320 vs. $16,500).
• Western Illinois University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $926 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.8% higher at UIC than at Western Illinois University (about $14,620 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Illinois Chicago than at Western Illinois University (74% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 11.7% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($16,755 vs. $14,994).

UIC vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC 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 UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 250 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming UIC students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at Western Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at UIC (3.41).
• UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

UIC vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC 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).

• University of Illinois Chicago's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $5,954 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($18,750 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($193 vs. $255).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 61%)

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.