Western Illinois University vs. ENMU

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

Western Illinois University ENMU
Location Macomb, IL Portales, NM
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 7,073 5,386
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #663 #972
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu enmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University ENMU
Tuition (In State) $9,801 $4,194
Tuition (Out of State) $9,801 $6,174
Room & Board $10,920 $8,446
Avg Net Price $12,168 $6,683
Avg Grant Aid $15,620 $10,663
% Receiving Grant Aid 53% 98%

Admission

Western Illinois University ENMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,479 2,085
Admitted 6,356 1,145
Acceptance Rate 75% 54.9%
Enrolled % 15.2% 42.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.23
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 15/21
SAT Range 880/1090 850/1070
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 24, 2026

Academics

Western Illinois University ENMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University ENMU
Graduation Rate 53% 24%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $33,800
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $14,267
Median Loan Payment $255 $147

Diversity

Western Illinois University ENMU
% Men 12% 6%
% Women 17% 18%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 46%
% Black 19% 5%
% Hispanic 11% 38%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Western Illinois University ENMU
% In-State 90% 77%
% Out-of-State 8% 21%

Campus

Western Illinois University ENMU
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 ENMU based on total student enrollment (7,073 students vs. 5,386 students)

Western Illinois University vs. ENMU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 133.7% more expensive to attend than ENMU for in-state tuition ($9,801.00 vs. $4,194.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 58.7% higher at Western Illinois University than Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ($9,801.00 vs. $6,174.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus than Western Illinois University ($6,683 vs. $12,168)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus are 29.3% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($8,446 vs. $10,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus than Western Illinois University (98% vs. 53%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 46.5% larger than aid received Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ($15,620 vs. $10,663)

Western Illinois University vs. ENMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 23 points higher than at ENMU (947)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at ENMU (20)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at ENMU (3.23)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than ENMU (54.9%)

Western Illinois University vs. ENMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus (53% vs. 24%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $12,200 more per year than ENMU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $33,800)
  • Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus students graduate with a $10,437 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($14,267 vs. $24,704)
  • ENMU graduates are paying $108 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($147 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ENMU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 46%)

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