Western Illinois University vs. Baker

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Baker University in Baldwin City, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Baker based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 2,017 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Baker University is in Baldwin City, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Baker University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Baker University 13:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Baker Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Baker? 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 Baker ($14,208 vs. $26,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Baker University are 0.6% lower than at Western Illinois University ($11,250 vs. $11,320).
• Baker University is 131.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $20,036 more per year; $35,300.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.3% higher at Baker than at Western Illinois University (about $20,036 more per year; $35,300.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Baker University than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Baker University students is 65% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($24,733 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. Baker Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Baker University (1050) is 60 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Baker).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; Baker University 970/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; Baker University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; Baker - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have the same average high school GPA (3.45) as students at Baker (3.45).
• Baker has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 25.5% at Baker.

Western Illinois University vs. Baker Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Baker University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from Baker University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,000 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $295 lower median loan debt than Baker graduates ($24,704 vs. $24,999).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Baker graduates ($255 vs. $258).
• More Baker graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.