Western Illinois University vs. OU

Western Illinois University and Ottawa University Ottawa side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Illinois University
Ottawa University Ottawa

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 83%). Typical SAT 990 vs 880.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Illinois University. Average net price is $14,208 vs $28,185 at OU.
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs OU 47%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs OU $46,400 (median).
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Key differences

Western Illinois University Ottawa University Ottawa
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
OU83%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Illinois University higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
OU750-1000
Average net price
Western Illinois University $13,977 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
OU$28,185
In-state tuition
Western Illinois University $20,616 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
OU$35,880
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $20,616 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
OU$35,880
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +6 pts
Western Illinois University53%
OU47%
Median earnings (10 years)
OU +$400
Western Illinois University$46,000
OU$46,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • OU 2,611
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • OU 2,166
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • OU 83%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • OU 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • OU 880
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • OU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • OU 3.12
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • OU B
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • OU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • OU
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • OU 750-1000
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • OU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • OU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • OU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • OU $35,880
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • OU $35,880
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • OU $13,646
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • OU $28,185
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • OU $23,692
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • OU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • OU 47%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • OU $46,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • OU 46%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • OU $21,875
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • OU $226
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • OU 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • OU
    • Business (33%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (18%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • OU Ottawa, KS
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • OU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • OU 999
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • OU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • OU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Ottawa University Ottawa in Ottawa, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 999 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 17% lower than at Ottawa University Ottawa ($11,320 vs. $13,646).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 135.1% higher at OU than at Western Illinois University (about $20,616 more per year; $35,880 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ottawa University Ottawa than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 58% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($23,692 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Western Illinois University than at OU (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at OU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.33 higher than at OU (3.12).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 14.1% at OU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ottawa University Ottawa graduates have a $2,829 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($21,875 vs. $24,704).
  • Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($226 vs. $255).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 46%).

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

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