Western Illinois University vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 838 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Western Illinois University vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or MIAD? 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 MIAD ($14,208 vs. $27,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 3.2% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,955 vs. $11,320).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 186.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $28,479 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 186.6% higher at MIAD than at Western Illinois University (about $28,479 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 73.5% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($26,015 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. MIAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or MIAD? 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 MIAD and Western Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (1040) is 50 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming MIAD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Western Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; MIAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at MIAD (3.08).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than MIAD (60.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Western Illinois University vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than MIAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $2,296 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($24,704 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIAD graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MIAD students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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.