Western Illinois University vs. North Central University

Should I go to Western Illinois University or North Central University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or North Central University 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. North Central University comparison
Western Illinois University North Central University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University North Central University
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Overview

Western Illinois University North Central University
Location Macomb, IL Minneapolis, MN
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 7,073 984
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #663
Religious Affiliation - Assemblies of God Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu northcentral.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University North Central University
Tuition (In State) $9,801 $28,500
Tuition (Out of State) $9,801 $28,500
Room & Board $10,920 $9,380
Avg Net Price $12,168 $23,694
Avg Grant Aid $15,620 $18,521
% Receiving Grant Aid 53% 94%

Admission

Western Illinois University North Central University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,479 621
Admitted 6,356 564
Acceptance Rate 75% 90.8%
Enrolled % 15.2% 39.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/24
SAT Range 880/1090 950/1148
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2026

Academics

Western Illinois University North Central University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (36%)
  • Education (11%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Business (8%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University North Central University
Graduation Rate 53% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $33,300
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $258

Diversity

Western Illinois University North Central University
% Men 12% 6%
% Women 17% 7%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 79%
% Black 19% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Western Illinois University North Central University
% In-State 90% 33%
% Out-of-State 8% 47%

Campus

Western Illinois University North Central University
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 North Central University based on total student enrollment (7,073 students vs. 984 students)

Western Illinois University vs. North Central University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or North Central University?

  • North Central University is 190.8% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $9,801.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 190.8% higher at North Central University than Western Illinois University ($28,500.00 vs. $9,801.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than North Central University ($12,168 vs. $23,694)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Central University are 16.4% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,380 vs. $10,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Central University than Western Illinois University (94% vs. 53%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Central University students is 18.6% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($18,521 vs. $15,620)

Western Illinois University vs. North Central University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Central University (1024) is 54 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming North Central University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at North Central University (3.4)
  • North Central University has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. North Central University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or North Central University? 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 North Central University and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than North Central University (53% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $12,700 more per year than North Central University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $33,300)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $296 lower median federal student loan debt than North Central University graduates. ($24,704 vs. $25,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than North Central University graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More North Central University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 61%)

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