Western Illinois University vs. Northwest

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

 Western Illinois University Northwest
Location Macomb, IL Maryville, MO
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 7,643 8,505
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #914
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu nwmissouri.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University Northwest
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $6,015
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $12,082
Room & Board $10,500 $10,428
Avg Net Price $11,213 $14,197
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $8,387
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 95%

Admission

 Western Illinois University Northwest
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 6,877
Admitted 6,914 5,884
Acceptance Rate 75% 85.6%
Enrolled % 15.5% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/24
SAT Range 880/1090 938/1158
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 Northwest
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Agriculture (6%)
  • General Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University Northwest
Graduation Rate 53% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $258

Diversity

 Western Illinois University Northwest
% Men 43% 38%
% Women 57% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 79%
% Black 19% 7%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Western Illinois University Northwest
% In-State 89% 65%
% Out-of-State 10% 33%

Campus

 Western Illinois University Northwest
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

  • Northwest Missouri State University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 58.2% more expensive to attend than Northwest for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $6,015.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27% higher at Northwest than Western Illinois University ($12,082.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Northwest ($11,213 vs. $14,197)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Missouri State University are 0.7% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($10,428 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than Western Illinois University (95% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 86.4% larger than aid received Northwest Missouri State University ($15,632 vs. $8,387)

Western Illinois University vs. Northwest Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwest Missouri State University (1047) is 77 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Northwest students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.45) as students at Northwest (3.45)
  • Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (85.6%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Northwest Missouri State University (53% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $4,800 more per year than Northwest graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $41,200)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $296 lower median federal student loan debt than Northwest graduates. ($24,704 vs. $25,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Northwest graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More Northwest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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