Western Illinois University vs. Manchester University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Manchester University in North Manchester, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Manchester University based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,276 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Manchester University is in North Manchester, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Manchester University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Manchester University 12:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Manchester University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Manchester University? 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 Manchester University ($14,208 vs. $19,425).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 10.3% lower than at Manchester University ($11,320 vs. $12,625).
• Manchester University is 143.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $21,871 more per year; $37,135.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.3% higher at Manchester University than at Western Illinois University (about $21,871 more per year; $37,135.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Manchester University than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Manchester University students is 104.3% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($30,635 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. Manchester University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Manchester University? 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 Manchester University 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; Manchester University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Manchester University (3.41).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Manchester University (71.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 14.7% at Manchester University.

Western Illinois University vs. Manchester University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Manchester University? 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).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Manchester University's (51%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Manchester University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $2,296 lower median loan debt than Manchester University graduates ($24,704 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Manchester University graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Manchester University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.