Western Illinois University vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Cottey College in Nevada, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Cottey College 6:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Cottey College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Cottey College ($14,208 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cottey College are 0.7% lower than at Western Illinois University ($11,240 vs. $11,320).
• Cottey College is 80.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $12,298 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.6% higher at Cottey College than at Western Illinois University (about $12,298 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 63.8% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($24,565 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Cottey College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cottey College and Western Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cottey College (1080) is 90 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Cottey College (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; Cottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

Western Illinois University vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Cottey College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $12,704 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($12,000 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $131 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($124 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cottey College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.