Western Illinois University vs. Grace Christian University

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

Western Illinois University Grace Christian University
Location Macomb, IL Wyoming, MI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 7,643 1,031
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu gbcol.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Grace Christian University
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $13,320
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $13,320
Room & Board $10,500 $8,830
Avg Net Price $11,213 $12,988
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $10,323
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 96%

Admission

Western Illinois University Grace Christian University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 293
Admitted 6,914 292
Acceptance Rate 75% 99.7%
Enrolled % 15.5% 38.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.03
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 considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University Grace Christian University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (30%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (30%)
  • General Studies (15%)
  • Human Services (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Grace Christian University
Graduation Rate 53% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $28,300
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $23,247
Median Loan Payment $255 $240

Diversity

Western Illinois University Grace Christian University
% Men 43% 41%
% Women 57% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 61%
% Black 19% 24%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Western Illinois University Grace Christian University
% In-State 89% 62%
% Out-of-State 10% 38%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Grace Christian University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 1,031 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Grace Christian University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Grace Christian University?

  • Grace Christian University is 40% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($13,320.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 40% higher at Grace Christian University than Western Illinois University ($13,320.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Grace Christian University ($11,213 vs. $12,988)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grace Christian University are 18.9% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($8,830 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grace Christian University than Western Illinois University (96% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 51.4% larger than aid received Grace Christian University ($15,632 vs. $10,323)

Western Illinois University vs. Grace Christian University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Grace Christian University (3.03)
  • Grace Christian University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Grace Christian University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Grace Christian University? 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 Grace Christian University and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Grace Christian University (53% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $17,700 more per year than Grace Christian University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $28,300)
  • Grace Christian University students graduate with a $1,457 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($23,247 vs. $24,704)
  • Grace Christian University graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($240 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grace Christian University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 48%)

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