Western Illinois University vs. Austin Peay State University

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

Western Illinois University Austin Peay State University
Location Macomb, IL Clarksville, TN
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,643 9,326
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $12,360
Room & Board $10,500 $12,274
Avg Net Price $11,213 $16,140
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $10,232
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 96%

Admission

Western Illinois University Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 6,362
Admitted 6,914 5,969
Acceptance Rate 75% 93.8%
Enrolled % 15.5% 24.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/24
SAT Range 880/1090 983/1170
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 4, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 53% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $255 $232

Diversity

Western Illinois University Austin Peay State University
% Men 43% 40%
% Women 57% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 63%
% Black 19% 20%
% Hispanic 11% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 6%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Western Illinois University Austin Peay State University
% In-State 89% 88%
% Out-of-State 10% 11%

Campus

Western Illinois University Austin Peay State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (9,326 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Austin Peay State University?

  • Western Illinois University is 39.6% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.9% higher at Austin Peay State University than Western Illinois University ($12,360.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Austin Peay State University ($11,213 vs. $16,140)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 16.9% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($10,500 vs. $12,274)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Austin Peay State University than Western Illinois University (96% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 52.8% larger than aid received Austin Peay State University ($15,632 vs. $10,232)

Western Illinois University vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Austin Peay State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Austin Peay State University or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Austin Peay State University (1011) is 41 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Austin Peay State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.8%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Austin Peay State 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 Austin Peay State University and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Austin Peay State University (53% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $8,600 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $2,204 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,704)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($232 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 44%)

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