Western Illinois University vs. OU

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

 Western Illinois University OU
Location Macomb, IL Ottawa, KS
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,643 953
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - American Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu ottawa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University OU
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $29,980
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $29,980
Room & Board $10,500 $11,934
Avg Net Price $11,213 $26,872
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $23,303
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

 Western Illinois University OU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 3,331
Admitted 6,914 2,606
Acceptance Rate 75% 78.2%
Enrolled % 15.5% 10%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.12
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/23
SAT Range 880/1090 860/1100
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 OU
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 (33%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (18%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (5%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University OU
Graduation Rate 53% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $21,875
Median Loan Payment $255 $226

Diversity

 Western Illinois University OU
% Men 43% 63%
% Women 57% 37%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 61%
% Black 19% 13%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 5%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 14%

Students

 Western Illinois University OU
% In-State 89% 29%
% Out-of-State 10% 69%

Campus

 Western Illinois University OU
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

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than OU based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 953 students)

Western Illinois University vs. OU Cost Comparison

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

  • Ottawa University Ottawa is 215.1% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($29,980.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 215.1% higher at OU than Western Illinois University ($29,980.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than OU ($11,213 vs. $26,872)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 13.7% lower than costs at Ottawa University Ottawa ($10,500 vs. $11,934)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ottawa University Ottawa than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 49.1% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($23,303 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. OU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at OU (3.12)
  • OU has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Ottawa University Ottawa (53% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Ottawa University Ottawa earn on average $400 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $46,000)
  • Ottawa University Ottawa students graduate with a $2,829 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($21,875 vs. $24,704)
  • OU graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/