Western Illinois University vs. MIAD

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or MIAD 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. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design comparison
Western Illinois University Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University
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Overview

 Western Illinois University MIAD
Location Macomb, IL Milwaukee, WI
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 7,643 896
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu miad.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University MIAD
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $39,380
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $39,380
Room & Board $10,500 $9,950
Avg Net Price $11,213 $25,472
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $26,216
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

 Western Illinois University MIAD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,052
Admitted 6,914 673
Acceptance Rate 75% 64%
Enrolled % 15.5% 32.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.08
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 Aug 31, 2025

Academics

 Western Illinois University MIAD
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (87%)
  • Communications Technology (7%)
  • Architecture (6%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University MIAD
Graduation Rate 53% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $36,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $279

Diversity

 Western Illinois University MIAD
% Men 43% 22%
% Women 57% 78%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 68%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

 Western Illinois University MIAD
% In-State 89% 52%
% Out-of-State 10% 47%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than MIAD based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 896 students)

Western Illinois University vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or MIAD?

  • Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 313.9% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($39,380.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 313.9% higher at MIAD than Western Illinois University ($39,380.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than MIAD ($11,213 vs. $25,472)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 5.5% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,950 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 67.7% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($26,216 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. MIAD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • 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 (75%) than MIAD (64%)

Western Illinois University vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or MIAD? 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 MIAD and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at MIAD is higher than Western Illinois University (57% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $10,000 more per year than MIAD graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $36,000)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $2,296 lower median federal student loan debt than MIAD graduates. ($24,704 vs. $27,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans 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/