Western Illinois University vs. Pitt State

Comparable Facts

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

Western Illinois University is larger than Pitt State based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 5,755 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Pittsburg State University is in Pittsburg, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pittsburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Pittsburg State University 14:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Pitt State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Pitt State? 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 Western Illinois University than Pitt State ($14,208 vs. $15,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pittsburg State University are 9.6% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,234 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 81.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt State (about $6,864 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $8,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.4% higher at Pitt State than at Western Illinois University (about $4,480 more per year; $19,744.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pittsburg State University than at Western Illinois University (78% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 130.5% larger than aid received by Pittsburg State University students ($14,994 vs. $6,504).

Western Illinois University vs. Pitt State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Pitt State? 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 Pitt State and Western Illinois University.

• 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; Pitt State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Pitt State (3.4).
• Pitt State has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 31.9% at Pitt State.

Western Illinois University vs. Pitt State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Pitt State? 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 Pittsburg State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Pitt State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pittsburg State University graduates have a $4,704 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Pitt State graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($206 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt State students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 61%)

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.