Western Illinois University vs. Peru State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Peru State College in Peru, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Peru State College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,492 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Peru State College is in Peru, NE (Distant Rural setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Peru State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Peru State College 17:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Peru State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Peru State College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Peru State College than Western Illinois University ($11,915 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Peru State College are 7.6% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,464 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 76.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Peru State College (about $6,624 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $8,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.7% higher at Western Illinois University than at Peru State College (about $6,624 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $8,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Peru State College than at Western Illinois University (98% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 44.7% larger than aid received by Peru State College students ($14,994 vs. $10,363).

Western Illinois University vs. Peru State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Peru State College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Peru State College and Western Illinois University.

• Peru State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; Peru State College - Open admission.

Western Illinois University vs. Peru State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Peru State College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Peru State College's (26%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Peru State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Peru State College graduates have a $3,729 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($20,975 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Peru State College graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($216 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peru State College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.