Western Illinois University vs. Messenger College

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

Western Illinois University Messenger College
Location Macomb, IL Joplin, TX
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 7,643 19
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu messengercollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Messenger College
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $9,480
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $9,480
Room & Board $10,500 $7,832
Avg Net Price $11,213 $17,197
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $7,812
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Western Illinois University Messenger College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 8
Admitted 6,914 4
Acceptance Rate 75% 50%
Enrolled % 15.5% 100%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 2.9
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University Messenger College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (83%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Business (6%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Messenger College
Graduation Rate 53% 10%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $24,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 N/A
Median Loan Payment $255 N/A

Diversity

Western Illinois University Messenger College
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 54%
% Black 19% 18%
% Hispanic 11% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

Western Illinois University Messenger College
% In-State 89% 50%
% Out-of-State 10% 50%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 19 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 0.4% more expensive to attend than Messenger College for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $9,480.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.4% higher at Western Illinois University than Messenger College ($9,515.00 vs. $9,480.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Messenger College ($11,213 vs. $17,197)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messenger College are 34.1% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($7,832 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Messenger College than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 100.1% larger than aid received Messenger College ($15,632 vs. $7,812)

Western Illinois University vs. Messenger College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Messenger College (2.9)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Messenger College (50%)

Western Illinois University vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Messenger College (53% vs. 10%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $22,000 more per year than Messenger College graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $24,000)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 40%)

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