Western Illinois University vs. Madison College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Madison Area Technical College in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Madison Area Technical College is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 6,332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Madison Area Technical College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Madison Area Technical College 14:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Madison 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 Madison Area Technical College than Western Illinois University ($13,284 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 36.3% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($11,320 vs. $17,760).
• Western Illinois University is 206.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $10,287 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.4% higher at Western Illinois University than at Madison Area Technical College (about $8,009 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Illinois University than at Madison Area Technical College (53% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 155.3% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($14,994 vs. $5,872).

Western Illinois University vs. Madison College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Madison 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 Madison College and Western Illinois University.

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; Madison College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Western Illinois University vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $11,704 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($13,000 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($134 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.