Western Illinois University vs. Albion College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Illinois University is larger than Albion College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,308 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Albion College is in Albion, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Albion College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Albion College 11:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Albion College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Albion College? 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 Western Illinois University than Albion College ($14,208 vs. $16,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 11.8% lower than at Albion College ($11,320 vs. $12,830).
• Albion College is 273.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $41,686 more per year; $56,950.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 273.1% higher at Albion College than at Western Illinois University (about $41,686 more per year; $56,950.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Albion College than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Albion College students is 255.5% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($53,298 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. Albion College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Albion College? 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 Albion College and Western Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Albion College (1050) is 60 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Albion College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Western Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; Albion College 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; Albion College 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; Albion College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Albion College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• Albion College has a higher acceptance rate (80.7%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 6.9% at Albion College.

Western Illinois University vs. Albion College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Albion College? 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).

• Albion College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from Albion College earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,600 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $2,496 lower median loan debt than Albion College graduates ($24,704 vs. $27,200).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Albion College graduates ($255 vs. $281).
• More Albion College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.