Western Illinois University vs. South Carolina State University

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

Western Illinois University South Carolina State University
Location Macomb, IL Orangeburg, SC
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,073 3,041
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #663 #1011
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu scsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University South Carolina State University
Tuition (In State) $9,801 $9,528
Tuition (Out of State) $9,801 $20,218
Room & Board $10,920 $9,000
Avg Net Price $12,168 $17,928
Avg Grant Aid $15,620 $12,130
% Receiving Grant Aid 53% 94%

Admission

Western Illinois University South Carolina State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,479 9,830
Admitted 6,356 8,034
Acceptance Rate 75% 81.7%
Enrolled % 15.2% 13.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 15/19
SAT Range 880/1090 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 31, 2026

Academics

Western Illinois University South Carolina State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University South Carolina State University
Graduation Rate 53% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $31,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $33,205
Median Loan Payment $255 $343

Diversity

Western Illinois University South Carolina State University
% Men 12% 3%
% Women 17% 6%
Racial Diversity Medium Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 62% 2%
% Black 19% 96%
% Hispanic 11% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Western Illinois University South Carolina State University
% In-State 90% 73%
% Out-of-State 8% 26%

Campus

Western Illinois University South Carolina State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (7,073 students vs. 3,041 students)

Western Illinois University vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or South Carolina State University?

  • Western Illinois University is 2.9% more expensive to attend than South Carolina State University for in-state tuition ($9,801.00 vs. $9,528.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 106.3% higher at South Carolina State University than Western Illinois University ($20,218.00 vs. $9,801.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than South Carolina State University ($12,168 vs. $17,928)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 21.3% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,000 vs. $10,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Carolina State University than Western Illinois University (94% vs. 53%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 28.8% larger than aid received South Carolina State University ($15,620 vs. $12,130)

Western Illinois University vs. South Carolina State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 210 points higher than at South Carolina State University (760)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at South Carolina State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17)
  • South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or South Carolina State University? 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 South Carolina State University and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than South Carolina State University (53% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $15,000 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $31,000)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $8,501 lower median federal student loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates. ($24,704 vs. $33,205)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $88 less per month on federal student loans than South Carolina State University graduates. ($255 vs. $343)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/