Western Illinois University vs. BSU

Western Illinois University and Ball State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Illinois University
Ball State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 85.5%). Typical SAT 990 vs 1170.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $14,208 at Western Illinois University vs $13,599 at BSU. Western Illinois University in-state tuition is about $4,182 more per year.
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs BSU 55%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs BSU $42,500 (median).
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Key differences

Western Illinois University Ball State University
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
BSU85.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BSU higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
BSU1080-1260
Average net price
About even
Western Illinois University$14,208
BSU$13,599
In-state tuition
BSU $4,182 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
BSU$11,082
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $14,366 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
BSU$29,630
Graduation rate
BSU +2 pts
Western Illinois University53%
BSU55%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$3,500
Western Illinois University$46,000
BSU$42,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • BSU 21,093
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • BSU 18,034
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • BSU 85.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • BSU 20.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • BSU 1170
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • BSU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • BSU 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • BSU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • BSU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • BSU
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • BSU 1080-1260
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • BSU 20-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • BSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • BSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • BSU $11,082
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • BSU $29,630
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • BSU $12,334
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • BSU $13,599
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • BSU $13,218
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • BSU 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • BSU 55%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • BSU $42,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • BSU 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • BSU $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • BSU $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • BSU 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • BSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (18%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • BSU Muncie, IN
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • BSU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • BSU 21,089
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • BSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • BSU #630

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Ball State University in Muncie, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Ball State University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Ball State University is in Muncie, IN (Small City setting).
  • Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Ball State University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 8.2% lower than at Ball State University ($11,320 vs. $12,334).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 94.1% higher at BSU than at Western Illinois University (about $14,366 more per year; $29,630 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ball State University than at Western Illinois University (77% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 13.4% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($14,994 vs. $13,218).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at BSU than at Western Illinois University (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at BSU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BSU average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 20.4% at BSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $296 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($24,704 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($255 vs. $258).
  • More BSU 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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