Western Illinois University vs. Edgewood College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Illinois University is larger than Edgewood College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 2,459 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Edgewood College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Edgewood College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Edgewood College 15:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Edgewood College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Edgewood 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 Edgewood College ($14,208 vs. $27,038).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 14.6% lower than at Edgewood College ($11,320 vs. $13,250).
• Edgewood College is 134.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $20,596 more per year; $35,860.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.9% higher at Edgewood College than at Western Illinois University (about $20,596 more per year; $35,860.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Edgewood College than at Western Illinois University (98% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Edgewood College students is 59.3% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($23,885 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. Edgewood College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Edgewood 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 Edgewood College and Western Illinois University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; Edgewood College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Edgewood College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Edgewood College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• Edgewood College has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 16% at Edgewood College.

Western Illinois University vs. Edgewood College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Edgewood 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).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Edgewood College's (51%).
• Graduates of Western Illinois University and Edgewood College have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $46,000), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $796 lower median loan debt than Edgewood College graduates ($24,704 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Edgewood College graduates ($255 vs. $263).
• More Edgewood College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.