Western Illinois University vs. Loras College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Loras College in Dubuque, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Loras College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Loras College is in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Loras College 12:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Loras College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Loras 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 Loras College ($14,208 vs. $21,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 2.8% lower than at Western Illinois University ($11,000 vs. $11,320).
• Loras College is 160.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $24,560 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.9% higher at Loras College than at Western Illinois University (about $24,560 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loras College than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 92.3% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($28,835 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. Loras College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Loras 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 Loras 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; Loras College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Loras College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• Loras College has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 18.6% at Loras College.

Western Illinois University vs. Loras College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Loras 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).

• Loras College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from Loras College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 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 Loras 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 Loras College graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.