Western Illinois University vs. Madison College

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

 Western Illinois University Madison College
Location Macomb, IL Madison, WI
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,073 13,281
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #663
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu matcmadison.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University Madison College
Tuition (In State) $9,801 $4,386
Tuition (Out of State) $9,801 $6,633
Room & Board $10,920 $17,920
Avg Net Price $12,168 $12,175
Avg Grant Aid $15,620 $5,434
% Receiving Grant Aid 53% 39%

Admission

 Western Illinois University Madison College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,479 -
Admitted 6,356 -
Acceptance Rate 75% Open
Enrolled % 15.2% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.45 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
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 Sep 30, 2025

Academics

 Western Illinois University Madison College
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (61%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Engineering Technology (3%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University Madison College
Graduation Rate 53% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $37,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $13,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $134

Diversity

 Western Illinois University Madison College
% Men 12% 0%
% Women 17% 0%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 71%
% Black 19% 7%
% Hispanic 11% 10%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Western Illinois University Madison College
% In-State 90% 98%
% Out-of-State 8% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Madison Area Technical College is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (13,281 students vs. 7,073 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 123.5% more expensive to attend than Madison College for in-state tuition ($9,801.00 vs. $4,386.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 47.8% higher at Western Illinois University than Madison Area Technical College ($9,801.00 vs. $6,633.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Madison College ($12,168 vs. $12,175)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 64.1% lower than costs at Madison Area Technical College ($10,920 vs. $17,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Madison Area Technical College (53% vs. 39%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 187.4% larger than aid received Madison Area Technical College ($15,620 vs. $5,434)

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

Western Illinois University vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Madison 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 Madison College and Western Illinois University.

  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $8,300 more per year than Madison College graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $37,700)
  • Madison Area Technical College students graduate with a $11,704 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($13,000 vs. $24,704)
  • Madison College graduates are paying $121 less per month on federal student loans 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/