Western Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or CMU - CLAS 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. Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences comparison
Western Illinois University Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University
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Overview

Western Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Location Macomb, IL Fayette, MO
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,643 1,080
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #781
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu centralmethodist.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $26,360
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $26,360
Room & Board $10,500 $8,910
Avg Net Price $11,213 $24,828
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $18,044
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Western Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,166
Admitted 6,914 1,141
Acceptance Rate 75% 97.9%
Enrolled % 15.5% 25.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/23
SAT Range 880/1090 930/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Graduation Rate 53% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $16,875
Median Loan Payment $255 $174

Diversity

Western Illinois University CMU - CLAS
% Men 43% 48%
% Women 57% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 78%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

Western Illinois University CMU - CLAS
% In-State 89% 59%
% Out-of-State 10% 27%

Campus

Western Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than CMU - CLAS based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 1,080 students)

Western Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or CMU - CLAS?

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is 177% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($26,360.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 177% higher at CMU - CLAS than Western Illinois University ($26,360.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than CMU - CLAS ($11,213 vs. $24,828)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 17.8% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($8,910 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students is 15.4% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($18,044 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (1043) is 73 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming CMU - CLAS students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman CMU - CLAS students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • CMU - CLAS has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or CMU - CLAS? 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 CMU - CLAS and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (53% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $7,400 more per year than CMU - CLAS graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $38,600)
  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students graduate with a $7,829 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($16,875 vs. $24,704)
  • CMU - CLAS graduates are paying $81 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($174 vs. $255)
  • More CMU - CLAS 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/