Western Illinois University vs. AAC

Comparable Facts

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

Western Illinois University is larger than AAC based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 213 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Art Academy of Cincinnati is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Art Academy of Cincinnati 9:1.

Western Illinois University vs. AAC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or AAC? 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 AAC ($14,208 vs. $33,491).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Art Academy of Cincinnati are 5.8% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,660 vs. $11,320).
• Art Academy of Cincinnati is 171.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $26,111 more per year; $41,375.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171.1% higher at AAC than at Western Illinois University (about $26,111 more per year; $41,375.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Art Academy of Cincinnati than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Art Academy of Cincinnati students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($19,460 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. AAC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or AAC? 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 AAC 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; AAC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AAC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at AAC (3.1).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than AAC (34.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 11.4% at AAC.

Western Illinois University vs. AAC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and AAC? 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 Art Academy of Cincinnati's (44%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than AAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $30,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $2,296 lower median loan debt than AAC graduates ($24,704 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAC graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAC students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 55%)

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.