Western Illinois University vs. LSUA

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

 Western Illinois University LSUA
Location Macomb, IL Alexandria, LA
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 7,643 4,289
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #950
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu lsua.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University LSUA
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $4,950
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $5,120
Room & Board $10,500 $9,598
Avg Net Price $11,213 $7,274
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $7,033
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 95%

Admission

 Western Illinois University LSUA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 2,913
Admitted 6,914 1,680
Acceptance Rate 75% 57.7%
Enrolled % 15.5% 24.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.16
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 17/22
SAT Range 880/1090 910/1110
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline

Academics

 Western Illinois University LSUA
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University LSUA
Graduation Rate 53% 12%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $35,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $17,707
Median Loan Payment $255 $183

Diversity

 Western Illinois University LSUA
% Men 43% 30%
% Women 57% 70%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 67%
% Black 19% 18%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Western Illinois University LSUA
% In-State 89% 85%
% Out-of-State 10% 10%

Campus

 Western Illinois University LSUA
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than LSUA based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 4,289 students)

Western Illinois University vs. LSUA Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 92.2% more expensive to attend than LSUA for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $4,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 85.8% higher at Western Illinois University than Louisiana State University Alexandria ($9,515.00 vs. $5,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Louisiana State University Alexandria than Western Illinois University ($7,274 vs. $11,213)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Alexandria are 9.4% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,598 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Louisiana State University Alexandria than Western Illinois University (95% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 122.3% larger than aid received Louisiana State University Alexandria ($15,632 vs. $7,033)

Western Illinois University vs. LSUA Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 20 points higher than at LSUA (950)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at LSUA (20)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at LSUA (3.16)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than LSUA (57.7%)

Western Illinois University vs. LSUA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or LSUA? 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 LSUA and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Louisiana State University Alexandria (53% vs. 12%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $10,300 more per year than LSUA graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $35,700)
  • Louisiana State University Alexandria students graduate with a $6,997 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($17,707 vs. $24,704)
  • LSUA graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($183 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUA students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 46%)

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