Western Illinois University vs. ESU

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Emporia State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or ESU 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. Emporia State University comparison
Western Illinois University Emporia State University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Emporia State University
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Overview

Western Illinois University ESU
Location Macomb, IL Emporia, KS
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 7,643 5,324
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu emporia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University ESU
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $5,278
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $13,195
Room & Board $10,500 $9,308
Avg Net Price $11,213 $14,854
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $5,345
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 89%

Admission

Western Illinois University ESU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,846
Admitted 6,914 1,766
Acceptance Rate 75% 95.7%
Enrolled % 15.5% 30.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University ESU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Education (27%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University ESU
Graduation Rate 53% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $39,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $19,419
Median Loan Payment $255 $200

Diversity

Western Illinois University ESU
% Men 43% 33%
% Women 57% 67%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 70%
% Black 19% 5%
% Hispanic 11% 7%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 2% 8%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Western Illinois University ESU
% In-State 89% 89%
% Out-of-State 10% 11%

Campus

Western Illinois University ESU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than ESU based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 5,324 students)

Western Illinois University vs. ESU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 80.3% more expensive to attend than ESU for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $5,278.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38.7% higher at ESU than Western Illinois University ($13,195.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than ESU ($11,213 vs. $14,854)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 12.8% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,308 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Emporia State University (94% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 192.5% larger than aid received Emporia State University ($15,632 vs. $5,345)

Western Illinois University vs. ESU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Emporia State University (1030) is 60 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming ESU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • 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 (95.7%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. ESU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Emporia State University (53% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $7,000 more per year than ESU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $39,000)
  • Emporia State University students graduate with a $5,285 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($19,419 vs. $24,704)
  • ESU graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans 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/