Western Illinois University vs. Alverno College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Illinois University is larger than Alverno College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,317 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Alverno College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Alverno College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Alverno College 13:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Alverno College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Alverno 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 Alverno College ($14,208 vs. $24,425).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alverno College are 5.6% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,688 vs. $11,320).
• Alverno College is 123.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $18,822 more per year; $34,086.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.3% higher at Alverno College than at Western Illinois University (about $18,822 more per year; $34,086.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alverno College than at Western Illinois University (98% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alverno College students is 80.6% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($27,086 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. Alverno College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; Alverno College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Alverno College (3.27).
• Alverno College has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 16.6% at Alverno College.

Western Illinois University vs. Alverno College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Alverno 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).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Alverno College's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Alverno College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $6,989 lower median loan debt than Alverno College graduates ($24,704 vs. $31,693).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alverno College graduates ($255 vs. $327).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alverno College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 48%)

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.