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EIU Northern Illinois ISU Southern Illinois University University of Minnesota-Crookston Indiana State SIUE University of Illinois at Springfield Central Minnesota UIC Concordia University-Saint Paul| Western Illinois University | Metropolitan State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Western Illinois University | Metropolitan State University | ||
| Location | Macomb, IL | Saint Paul, MN | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 7,643 | 6,294 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #579 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wiu.edu | metrostate.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Western Illinois University | Metropolitan State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,515 | $8,571 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,515 | $8,571 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,500 | $11,644 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,213 | $19,347 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $15,632 | $8,322 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 94% | 100% |
Admission |
Western Illinois University | Metropolitan State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 9,219 | 612 | ||
| Admitted | 6,914 | 500 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 75% | 81.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.5% | 26.2% | ||
| 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) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Western Illinois University | Metropolitan State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 14:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Western Illinois University | Metropolitan State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 53% | 29% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $46,000 | $49,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 61% | 57% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,704 | $17,992 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $255 | $186 |
Diversity |
Western Illinois University | Metropolitan State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 43% | 42% | ||
| % Women | 57% | 58% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 62% | 54% | ||
| % Black | 19% | 20% | ||
| % Hispanic | 11% | 5% | ||
| % 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 | Metropolitan State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 89% | 99% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 10% | 1% | ||
Campus |
Western Illinois University | Metropolitan State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | No | ||
| 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 Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 6,294 students)
Western Illinois University vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Metropolitan State University?
- Western Illinois University is 11% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State University for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $8,571.00)
- Out of state tuition is 11% higher at Western Illinois University than Metropolitan State University ($9,515.00 vs. $8,571.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Metropolitan State University ($11,213 vs. $19,347)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 10.9% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($10,500 vs. $11,644)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 87.8% larger than aid received Metropolitan State University ($15,632 vs. $8,322)
Western Illinois University vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Metropolitan State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Metropolitan State University or Western Illinois University .
- Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than Western Illinois University (75%)
Western Illinois University vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Western Illinois University or Metropolitan State University? 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 Metropolitan State University and Western Illinois University.
- The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Metropolitan State University (53% vs. 29%)
- Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $3,200 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $46,000)
- Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $6,712 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($17,992 vs. $24,704)
- Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $69 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($186 vs. $255)
- More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University 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/