Western Illinois University vs. Lane College

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

Western Illinois University Lane College
Location Macomb, IL Jackson, TN
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 7,643 1,010
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - Christian Methodist Episcopal - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu lanecollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Lane College
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $9,270
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $9,270
Room & Board $10,500 $7,610
Avg Net Price $11,213 $13,370
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $10,154
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 92%

Admission

Western Illinois University Lane College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 -
Admitted 6,914 -
Acceptance Rate 75%
Enrolled % 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 2.57
Typical High School Grades B+ C+
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)
Application Deadline Aug 21, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University Lane College
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%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (17%)
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Education (9%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Lane College
Graduation Rate 53% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $25,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 12%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $36,464
Median Loan Payment $255 $377

Diversity

Western Illinois University Lane College
% Men 43% 56%
% Women 57% 44%
Racial Diversity Medium Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 62% 1%
% Black 19% 97%
% Hispanic 11% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Western Illinois University Lane College
% In-State 89% 61%
% Out-of-State 10% 38%

Campus

Western Illinois University Lane College
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 Lane College based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 1,010 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Lane College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Lane College?

  • Western Illinois University is 2.6% more expensive to attend than Lane College for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $9,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.6% higher at Western Illinois University than Lane College ($9,515.00 vs. $9,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Lane College ($11,213 vs. $13,370)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lane College are 38% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($7,610 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Lane College (94% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 53.9% larger than aid received Lane College ($15,632 vs. $10,154)

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 212 points higher than at Lane College (758)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Lane College (16)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.88 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Lane College (2.57)

Western Illinois University vs. Lane College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Lane College? 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 Lane College and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Lane College (53% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $21,000 more per year than Lane College graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $25,000)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $11,760 lower median federal student loan debt than Lane College graduates. ($24,704 vs. $36,464)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $122 less per month on federal student loans than Lane College graduates. ($255 vs. $377)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lane College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 12%)

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