Western Illinois University vs. Bethel

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

Western Illinois University
Bethel University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bethel (60.2% admitted vs 71.2%). Typical SAT 980 vs 990.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bethel. Average net price is $13,112 vs $14,208 at Western Illinois University.
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs Bethel 32%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs Bethel $42,700 (median).
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Key differences

Western Illinois University Bethel University
Acceptance rate
Bethel more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
Bethel60.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bethel higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
Bethel830-1120
Average net price
Bethel $1,096 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
Bethel$13,112
In-state tuition
Western Illinois University $3,448 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
Bethel$18,712
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $3,448 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
Bethel$18,712
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +21 pts
Western Illinois University53%
Bethel32%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$3,300
Western Illinois University$46,000
Bethel$42,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • Bethel 1,486
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • Bethel 895
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • Bethel 60.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • Bethel 32.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • Bethel 980
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • Bethel 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • Bethel 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • Bethel A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Bethel Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • Bethel Low
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • Bethel 830-1120
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • Bethel 15-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • Bethel Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • Bethel
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Bethel $18,712
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Bethel $18,712
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • Bethel $10,538
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • Bethel $13,112
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • Bethel $17,700
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Bethel 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Bethel 32%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • Bethel $42,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • Bethel 33%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • Bethel $28,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • Bethel $292
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • Bethel 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Bethel
    • Business (78%)
    • Education (5%)
    • Biology (3%)
    • Health Professions (3%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (2%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • Bethel McKenzie, TN
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • Bethel Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • Bethel 2,936
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • Bethel Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • Bethel #966

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Bethel University in McKenzie, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Bethel based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 2,936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Bethel University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 6.9% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,538 vs. $11,320).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at Bethel than at Western Illinois University (about $3,448 more per year; $18,712 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at Western Illinois University (98% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 18% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($17,700 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Western Illinois University than at Bethel (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at Bethel.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Bethel average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $3,546 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($24,704 vs. $28,250).
  • Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($255 vs. $292).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 33%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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