University of St Francis vs. Western Illinois University

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

University of St Francis Western Illinois University
Location Joliet, IL Macomb, IL
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 3,297 7,643
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #339 #579
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website stfrancis.edu wiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of St Francis Western Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $36,000 $9,515
Tuition (Out of State) $36,000 $9,515
Room & Board $11,430 $10,500
Avg Net Price $18,560 $11,213
Avg Grant Aid $25,392 $15,632
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

University of St Francis Western Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,198 9,219
Admitted 1,284 6,914
Acceptance Rate 58.4% 75%
Enrolled % 16.8% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/30 18/24
SAT Range 1030/1240 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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

University of St Francis Western Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

University of St Francis Western Illinois University
Graduation Rate 63% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,600 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,704
Median Loan Payment $258 $255

Diversity

University of St Francis Western Illinois University
% Men 26% 43%
% Women 74% 57%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 62%
% Black 8% 19%
% Hispanic 16% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

University of St Francis Western Illinois University
% In-State 93% 89%
% Out-of-State 4% 10%

Campus

University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 3,297 students)

University of St Francis vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of St Francis or Western Illinois University?

  • University of St Francis is 278.3% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($36,000.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 278.3% higher at University of St Francis than Western Illinois University ($36,000.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than University of St Francis ($11,213 vs. $18,560)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 8.9% lower than costs at University of St Francis ($10,500 vs. $11,430)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of St Francis than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 62.4% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($25,392 vs. $15,632)

University of St Francis vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis .

  • The average SAT score at University of St Francis (1069) is 99 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming University of St Francis students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman University of St Francis students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than University of St Francis (58.4%)

University of St Francis vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis.

  • The graduation rate at University of St Francis is higher than Western Illinois University (63% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from University of St Francis earn on average $4,600 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $46,000)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $296 lower median federal student loan debt than University of St Francis graduates. ($24,704 vs. $25,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than University of St Francis graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More University of St Francis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

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