Western Illinois University vs. NMSU

Should I go to Western Illinois University or New Mexico State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or NMSU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Western Illinois University vs. New Mexico State University Main Campus comparison
Western Illinois University New Mexico State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University New Mexico State University Main Campus
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Western Illinois University NMSU
Location Macomb, IL Las Cruces, NM
Setting Remote Town Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 7,073 14,779
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #663 #731
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu nmsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University NMSU
Tuition (In State) $9,801 $6,283
Tuition (Out of State) $9,801 $23,407
Room & Board $10,920 $12,026
Avg Net Price $12,168 $8,353
Avg Grant Aid $15,620 $15,073
% Receiving Grant Aid 53% 97%

Admission

Western Illinois University NMSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,479 15,201
Admitted 6,356 11,511
Acceptance Rate 75% 75.7%
Enrolled % 15.2% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.55
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/24
SAT Range 880/1090 885/1110
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University NMSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University NMSU
Graduation Rate 53% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $39,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $17,118
Median Loan Payment $255 $176

Diversity

Western Illinois University NMSU
% Men 12% 7%
% Women 17% 11%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 30%
% Black 19% 3%
% Hispanic 11% 55%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Western Illinois University NMSU
% In-State 90% 79%
% Out-of-State 8% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (14,779 students vs. 7,073 students)

Western Illinois University vs. NMSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 56% more expensive to attend than NMSU for in-state tuition ($9,801.00 vs. $6,283.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 138.8% higher at NMSU than Western Illinois University ($23,407.00 vs. $9,801.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at New Mexico State University Main Campus than Western Illinois University ($8,353 vs. $12,168)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 10.1% lower than costs at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($10,920 vs. $12,026)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than Western Illinois University (97% vs. 53%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 3.6% larger than aid received New Mexico State University Main Campus ($15,620 vs. $15,073)

Western Illinois University vs. NMSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at New Mexico State University Main Campus (983) is 13 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at NMSU (21)
  • Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • NMSU has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than New Mexico State University Main Campus (53% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $6,600 more per year than NMSU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $39,400)
  • New Mexico State University Main Campus students graduate with a $7,586 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($17,118 vs. $24,704)
  • NMSU graduates are paying $79 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($176 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/