Western Illinois University vs. MSU

Western Illinois University and Midwestern State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Illinois University
Midwestern State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 93.5%). Typical SAT 990 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSU. Average net price is $11,215 vs $14,208 at Western Illinois University.
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs MSU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs MSU $44,300 (median).
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Key differences

Western Illinois University Midwestern State University
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
MSU93.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MSU higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
MSU910-1100
Average net price
MSU $2,993 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
MSU$11,215
In-state tuition
MSU $4,684 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
MSU$10,580
Out-of-state tuition
MSU $2,734 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
MSU$12,530
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +19 pts
Western Illinois University53%
MSU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$1,700
Western Illinois University$46,000
MSU$44,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • MSU 7,803
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • MSU 7,297
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • MSU 93.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • MSU 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • MSU 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • MSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • MSU 3.2
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • MSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • MSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • MSU
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • MSU 910-1100
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • MSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • MSU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • MSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • MSU $10,580
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • MSU $12,530
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • MSU $11,124
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • MSU $11,215
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • MSU $11,037
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • MSU 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • MSU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • MSU $44,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • MSU 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • MSU $22,299
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • MSU $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • MSU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • MSU
    • Health Professions (32%)
    • Business (22%)
    • General Studies (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • MSU Wichita Falls, TX
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • MSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • MSU 5,324
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • MSU #878

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 5,324 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
  • Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 1.7% lower than at Western Illinois University ($11,124 vs. $11,320).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21.8% higher at Western Illinois University than at Midwestern State University (about $2,734 more per year; $15,264 vs. $12,530).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at Western Illinois University (92% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 35.9% larger than aid received by Midwestern State University students ($14,994 vs. $11,037).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Western Illinois University than at MSU (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Western Illinois University and MSU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at MSU (3.2).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 12.9% at MSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Midwestern State University graduates have a $2,405 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($22,299 vs. $24,704).
  • Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($230 vs. $255).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 56%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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