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EIU Northern Illinois ISU Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Southern Illinois University Murray State University WKU Xavier Indiana State UC| Western Illinois University | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Western Illinois University | NKU | ||
| Location | Macomb, IL | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 7,073 | 14,961 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #663 | #912 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wiu.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Western Illinois University | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,801 | $10,512 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,801 | $21,096 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,920 | $11,660 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,168 | $8,151 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $15,620 | $11,492 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 53% | 98% |
Admission |
Western Illinois University | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 8,479 | 6,417 | ||
| Admitted | 6,356 | 6,162 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 75% | 96% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.2% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.45 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 880/1090 | 916/1133 | ||
| 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 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Western Illinois University | NKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Western Illinois University | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 53% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $46,000 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 61% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,704 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $255 | $257 |
Diversity |
Western Illinois University | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 12% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 17% | 24% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 62% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 19% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 11% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
Western Illinois University | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 90% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 8% | 28% | ||
Campus |
Western Illinois University | NKU | ||
| 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
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 7,073 students)
Western Illinois University vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or NKU?
- Northern Kentucky University is 7.3% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $9,801.00)
- Out of state tuition is 115.2% higher at NKU than Western Illinois University ($21,096.00 vs. $9,801.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Western Illinois University ($8,151 vs. $12,168)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 6.8% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,920 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Western Illinois University (98% vs. 53%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 35.9% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($15,620 vs. $11,492)
Western Illinois University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or Western Illinois University .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 98 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
- Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
- Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at NKU (3.42)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Western Illinois University (75%)
Western Illinois University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Western Illinois University or NKU? 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 NKU and Western Illinois University.
- The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (53% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $6,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $39,700)
- Western Illinois University students graduate with a $246 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,704 vs. $24,950)
- Western Illinois University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($255 vs. $257)
- More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU 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/