University of Illinois Springfield vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Springfield in Springfield, IL with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than University of Illinois Springfield based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 4,628 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Springfield is located in Springfield, IL (Midsize City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Springfield 13:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Illinois Springfield or WMU? 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 Springfield than WMU ($10,809 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 0.6% lower than at University of Illinois Springfield ($12,174 vs. $12,242).
• Western Michigan University is 24.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Illinois Springfield (about $3,000 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $12,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at University of Illinois Springfield than at Western Michigan University (about $2,983 more per year; $22,017.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Illinois Springfield than at Western Michigan University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Springfield students is 32.7% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($14,666 vs. $11,048).

University of Illinois Springfield vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Illinois Springfield or WMU? 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 WMU and University of Illinois Springfield.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 40 points higher than at University of Illinois Springfield (1070).
• Incoming University of Illinois Springfield students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 940/1200; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 21/27; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Illinois Springfield - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at University of Illinois Springfield (3.46).
• University of Illinois Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University of Illinois Springfield vs. 13.5% at WMU.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Illinois Springfield and WMU? 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 Springfield's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than University of Illinois Springfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have a $7,840 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($18,793 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($194 vs. $275).
• More University of Illinois Springfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 54%)

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.