Western Illinois University vs. Lamar University

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Lamar University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or Lamar 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

EIU Northern Illinois SHSU ISU TAMUK University of Houston-Downtown Texas State PVAMU UNT Tarleton Southern Illinois University UH
Western Illinois University vs. Lamar University comparison
Western Illinois University Lamar University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Lamar University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Western Illinois University Lamar University
Location Macomb, IL Beaumont, TX
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,643 16,803
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #992
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu lamar.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Lamar University
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $6,228
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $16,020
Room & Board $10,500 $9,884
Avg Net Price $11,213 $11,757
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $10,397
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 95%

Admission

Western Illinois University Lamar University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 6,214
Admitted 6,914 5,203
Acceptance Rate 75% 83.7%
Enrolled % 15.5% 28.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 14/19
SAT Range 880/1090 830/1030
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 Lamar University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Engineering (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Lamar University
Graduation Rate 53% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $45,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $22,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $227

Diversity

Western Illinois University Lamar University
% Men 43% 34%
% Women 57% 66%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 48%
% Black 19% 27%
% Hispanic 11% 15%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Western Illinois University Lamar University
% In-State 89% 97%
% Out-of-State 10% 2%

Campus

Western Illinois University Lamar 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

  • Lamar University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (16,803 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Lamar University Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 52.8% more expensive to attend than Lamar University for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $6,228.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 68.4% higher at Lamar University than Western Illinois University ($16,020.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Lamar University ($11,213 vs. $11,757)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lamar University are 6.2% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,884 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lamar University than Western Illinois University (95% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 50.4% larger than aid received Lamar University ($15,632 vs. $10,397)

Western Illinois University vs. Lamar University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lamar University (974) is 4 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Lamar University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Lamar University (3.4)
  • Lamar University has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Lamar University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Lamar 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 Lamar University and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Lamar University (53% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $500 more per year than Lamar University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $45,500)
  • Lamar University students graduate with a $2,704 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $24,704)
  • Lamar University graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($227 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lamar University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 42%)

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