Western Illinois University vs. EWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Eastern Washington University is in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Eastern Washington University 18:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 27.3% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($11,320 vs. $15,574).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.1% higher at EWU than at Western Illinois University (about $10,695 more per year; $25,959 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Washington University than at Western Illinois University (86% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 49.9% larger than aid received by Eastern Washington University students ($14,994 vs. $10,001).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Western Illinois University than at EWU (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Western Illinois University and EWU.
• Typical fall application deadline: EWU Sep 10, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at EWU (3.29).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 22.7% at EWU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $3,886 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($20,818 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($215 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EWU students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 60%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.