Western Illinois University vs. Marian

Comparable Facts

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

Western Illinois University is larger than Marian based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 3,486 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Marian University is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Marian University 13:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Marian Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Marian? 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 Marian ($14,208 vs. $22,786).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 18.3% lower than at Marian University ($11,320 vs. $13,850).
• Marian University is 166.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $25,400 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 166.4% higher at Marian than at Western Illinois University (about $25,400 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marian University than at Western Illinois University (97% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 115.8% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($32,351 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. Marian Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Marian? 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 Marian 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; Marian - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marian Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Marian students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• Marian has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 15.6% at Marian.

Western Illinois University vs. Marian Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Marian University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Marian graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $2,296 lower median loan debt than Marian graduates ($24,704 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marian graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marian students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 57%)

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.