Western Illinois University vs. Clarke University

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

Western Illinois University Clarke University
Location Macomb, IL Dubuque, IA
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 7,643 965
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu clarke.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Clarke University
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $36,900
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $36,900
Room & Board $10,500 $10,600
Avg Net Price $11,213 $27,275
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $25,403
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Western Illinois University Clarke University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 2,665
Admitted 6,914 2,260
Acceptance Rate 75% 84.8%
Enrolled % 15.5% 8.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/23
SAT Range 880/1090 920/1160
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University Clarke University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Human Services (6%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Clarke University
Graduation Rate 53% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $42,800
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $268

Diversity

Western Illinois University Clarke University
% Men 43% 51%
% Women 57% 49%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 85%
% Black 19% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Western Illinois University Clarke University
% In-State 89% 25%
% Out-of-State 10% 65%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Clarke University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 965 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Clarke University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Clarke University?

  • Clarke University is 287.8% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($36,900.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 287.8% higher at Clarke University than Western Illinois University ($36,900.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Clarke University ($11,213 vs. $27,275)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 1% lower than costs at Clarke University ($10,500 vs. $10,600)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clarke University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarke University students is 62.5% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($25,403 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. Clarke University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Clarke University (1045) is 75 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Clarke University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Clarke University (3.36)
  • Clarke University has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Clarke University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Clarke 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 Clarke University and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Clarke University is higher than Western Illinois University (60% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $3,200 more per year than Clarke University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $42,800)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $1,296 lower median federal student loan debt than Clarke University graduates. ($24,704 vs. $26,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Clarke University graduates. ($255 vs. $268)
  • More Clarke University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

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