Western Illinois University vs. Grand View University

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

Western Illinois University Grand View University
Location Macomb, IL Des Moines, IA
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,643 1,827
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #884
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu grandview.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Grand View University
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $31,418
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $31,418
Room & Board $10,500 $10,956
Avg Net Price $11,213 $20,236
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $22,893
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Western Illinois University Grand View University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,886
Admitted 6,914 1,856
Acceptance Rate 75% 98.4%
Enrolled % 15.5% 17.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/22
SAT Range 880/1090 920/1080
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University Grand View University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Grand View University
Graduation Rate 53% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $43,900
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $23,908
Median Loan Payment $255 $247

Diversity

Western Illinois University Grand View University
% Men 43% 44%
% Women 57% 56%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 72%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

Western Illinois University Grand View University
% In-State 89% 77%
% Out-of-State 10% 21%

Campus

Western Illinois University Grand View 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 Grand View University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 1,827 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Grand View University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Grand View University?

  • Grand View University is 230.2% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($31,418.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 230.2% higher at Grand View University than Western Illinois University ($31,418.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Grand View University ($11,213 vs. $20,236)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 4.3% lower than costs at Grand View University ($10,500 vs. $10,956)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand View University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grand View University students is 46.4% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($22,893 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. Grand View University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 1 points higher than at Grand View University (969)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Grand View University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Grand View University (3.3)
  • Grand View University has a higher acceptance rate (98.4%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Grand View University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Grand View 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 Grand View University and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Grand View University (53% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $2,100 more per year than Grand View University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $43,900)
  • Grand View University students graduate with a $796 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($23,908 vs. $24,704)
  • Grand View University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($247 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grand View University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

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