Western Illinois University vs. ESU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Emporia State University in Emporia, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than ESU based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 4,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Emporia State University is in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Emporia State University 16:1.

Western Illinois University vs. ESU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or ESU ? 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 ESU ($14,208 vs. $16,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 3.3% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,950 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 114.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $8,158 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at ESU than at Western Illinois University (about $155 more per year; $15,419.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emporia State University than at Western Illinois University (92% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 152% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($14,994 vs. $5,951).

Western Illinois University vs. ESU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or ESU ? 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 ESU 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; ESU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at ESU (3.41).
• ESU has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 22.9% at ESU .

Western Illinois University vs. ESU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and ESU ? 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 Emporia State University's (43%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than ESU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $5,285 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($19,419 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($200 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ESU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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.