Western Illinois University vs. OC Comets

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with The University of Olivet in Olivet, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 979 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 9.9% lower than at The University of Olivet ($11,320 vs. $12,567).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.2% higher at OC Comets than at Western Illinois University (about $18,804 more per year; $34,068 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Olivet than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 85.8% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($27,858 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Western Illinois University than at OC Comets (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Western Illinois University and OC Comets.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $2,296 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($24,704 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC Comets students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 53%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.