Western Illinois University vs. CUW

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Concordia University Wisconsin? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or CUW 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

EIU Northern Illinois ISU Southern Illinois University Indiana State UWM SIUE University of Illinois at Springfield Central Stritch UIC Cleveland State
Western Illinois University vs. Concordia University Wisconsin comparison
Western Illinois University Concordia University Wisconsin College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Concordia University Wisconsin
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Western Illinois University CUW
Location Macomb, IL Mequon, WI
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 7,643 4,988
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #395
Religious Affiliation - Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu cuw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University CUW
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $32,770
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $32,770
Room & Board $10,500 $12,160
Avg Net Price $11,213 $24,485
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $23,477
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

 Western Illinois University CUW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 3,544
Admitted 6,914 2,494
Acceptance Rate 75% 70.4%
Enrolled % 15.5% 16.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 20/26
SAT Range 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Western Illinois University CUW
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (40%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (4%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University CUW
Graduation Rate 53% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $23,925
Median Loan Payment $255 $247

Diversity

 Western Illinois University CUW
% Men 43% 33%
% Women 57% 67%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 72%
% Black 19% 15%
% Hispanic 11% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 Western Illinois University CUW
% In-State 89% 63%
% Out-of-State 10% 37%

Campus

 Western Illinois University CUW
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 CUW based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 4,988 students)

Western Illinois University vs. CUW Cost Comparison

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

  • Concordia University Wisconsin is 244.4% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($32,770.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 244.4% higher at CUW than Western Illinois University ($32,770.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than CUW ($11,213 vs. $24,485)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 15.8% lower than costs at Concordia University Wisconsin ($10,500 vs. $12,160)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than Western Illinois University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 50.2% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($23,477 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. CUW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Concordia University Wisconsin (1066) is 96 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming CUW students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman CUW students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than CUW (70.4%)

Western Illinois University vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or CUW? 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 CUW and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at CUW is higher than Western Illinois University (58% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin earn on average $100 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $46,000)
  • Concordia University Wisconsin students graduate with a $779 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($23,925 vs. $24,704)
  • CUW graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($247 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 52%)

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