Western Illinois University vs. Oakland City University

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Oakland City University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or Oakland City 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Western Illinois University vs. Oakland City University comparison
Western Illinois University Oakland City University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Western Illinois University Oakland City University
Location Macomb, IL Oakland City, IN
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,643 880
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu oak.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Oakland City University
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $26,400
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $26,400
Room & Board $10,500 $10,400
Avg Net Price $11,213 $17,103
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $23,197
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 92%

Admission

Western Illinois University Oakland City University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 883
Admitted 6,914 492
Acceptance Rate 75% 55.7%
Enrolled % 15.5% 26%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.29
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 17/23
SAT Range 880/1090 850/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University Oakland City University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (30%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (23%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Agriculture (4%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Oakland City University
Graduation Rate 53% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $36,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $20,200
Median Loan Payment $255 $208

Diversity

Western Illinois University Oakland City University
% Men 43% 51%
% Women 57% 49%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 70%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 14%

Students

Western Illinois University Oakland City University
% In-State 89% 64%
% Out-of-State 10% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Oakland City University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 880 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Oakland City University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Oakland City University?

  • Oakland City University is 177.5% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($26,400.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 177.5% higher at Oakland City University than Western Illinois University ($26,400.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Oakland City University ($11,213 vs. $17,103)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland City University are 1% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($10,400 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Oakland City University (94% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland City University students is 48.4% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($23,197 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. Oakland City University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 45 points higher than at Oakland City University (925)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Oakland City University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Oakland City University (3.29)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Oakland City University (55.7%)

Western Illinois University vs. Oakland City University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Oakland City 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 Oakland City University and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Oakland City University is higher than Western Illinois University (64% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $9,600 more per year than Oakland City University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $36,400)
  • Oakland City University students graduate with a $4,504 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($20,200 vs. $24,704)
  • Oakland City University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($208 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland City University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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