Western Illinois University vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than MWSU based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 3,716 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

Western Illinois University vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or MWSU? 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 Missouri Western State University than Western Illinois University ($13,126 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 8% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($11,320 vs. $12,311).
• Western Illinois University is 48.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $4,958 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.7% higher at MWSU than at Western Illinois University (about $5,602 more per year; $20,866.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Western State University than at Western Illinois University (96% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 62.2% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($14,994 vs. $9,245).

Western Illinois University vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

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

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; MWSU - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at MWSU (3.25).

Western Illinois University vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Western State University graduates have a $2,886 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($21,818 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, MWSU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($225 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

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.