Western Illinois University vs. NMSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); New Mexico State University Main Campus is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 7.8% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($11,320 vs. $12,282).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.8% higher at NMSU than at Western Illinois University (about $10,043 more per year; $25,307 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at Western Illinois University (96% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 4% larger than aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students ($14,994 vs. $14,420).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Western Illinois University than at NMSU (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at NMSU.
• Enrolled first-year students at NMSU average a 3.55 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 20.6% at NMSU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $7,586 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($17,118 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.