Western Illinois University vs. CUW

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

Western Illinois University
Concordia University Wisconsin

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 78.2%). Typical SAT 990 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Illinois University. Average net price is $14,208 vs $31,916 at CUW.
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs CUW 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs CUW $46,100 (median).
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Key differences

Western Illinois University Concordia University Wisconsin
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
CUW78.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Illinois University higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
CUW-
Average net price
Western Illinois University $17,708 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
CUW$31,916
In-state tuition
Western Illinois University $20,206 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
CUW$35,470
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $20,206 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
CUW$35,470
Graduation rate
CUW +5 pts
Western Illinois University53%
CUW58%
Median earnings (10 years)
CUW +$100
Western Illinois University$46,000
CUW$46,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • CUW 3,945
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • CUW 3,085
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • CUW 78.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • CUW 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • CUW
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • CUW 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • CUW 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • CUW A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • CUW Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • CUW
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • CUW
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • CUW 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • CUW Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • CUW
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • CUW $35,470
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • CUW $35,470
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • CUW $13,200
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • CUW $31,916
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • CUW $21,379
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • CUW 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • CUW 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • CUW $46,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • CUW 52%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • CUW $23,925
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • CUW $247
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • CUW 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • CUW
    • Business (40%)
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (4%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • CUW Mequon, WI
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • CUW Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • CUW 5,253
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • CUW Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • CUW #442

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than CUW based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 5,253 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Concordia University Wisconsin is in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 14.2% lower than at Concordia University Wisconsin ($11,320 vs. $13,200).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 132.4% higher at CUW than at Western Illinois University (about $20,206 more per year; $35,470 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than at Western Illinois University (99% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 42.6% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($21,379 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at CUW than at Western Illinois University (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at CUW.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CUW 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. 14.1% at CUW.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Wisconsin graduates have a $779 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($23,925 vs. $24,704).
  • Among borrowers, CUW graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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