Western Illinois University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Gustavus Adolphus College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Gustavus Adolphus College is in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($14,208 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 4.1% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($11,320 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 267.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $40,812 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 267.4% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Western Illinois University (about $40,812 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 176.4% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($41,450 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus 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; Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Western Illinois University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $2,296 lower median loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($24,704 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.