Western Illinois University vs. SAU

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

 Western Illinois University SAU
Location Macomb, IL Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Remote Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 7,073 2,390
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #663 #553
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University SAU
Tuition (In State) $9,801 $31,940
Tuition (Out of State) $9,801 $31,940
Room & Board $10,920 $10,960
Avg Net Price $12,168 $21,720
Avg Grant Aid $15,620 $21,522
% Receiving Grant Aid 53% 100%

Admission

 Western Illinois University SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,479 3,145
Admitted 6,356 1,174
Acceptance Rate 75% 37.3%
Enrolled % 15.2% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 18/24 17/25
SAT Range 880/1090 935/1165
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 SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University SAU
Graduation Rate 53% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $255 $248

Diversity

 Western Illinois University SAU
% Men 12% 7%
% Women 17% 48%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 77%
% Black 19% 10%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

 Western Illinois University SAU
% In-State 90% 82%
% Out-of-State 8% 15%

Campus

 Western Illinois University SAU
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 SAU based on total student enrollment (7,073 students vs. 2,390 students)

Western Illinois University vs. SAU Cost Comparison

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

  • Spring Arbor University is 225.9% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($31,940.00 vs. $9,801.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 225.9% higher at SAU than Western Illinois University ($31,940.00 vs. $9,801.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than SAU ($12,168 vs. $21,720)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 0.4% lower than costs at Spring Arbor University ($10,920 vs. $10,960)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Spring Arbor University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 37.8% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($21,522 vs. $15,620)

Western Illinois University vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 103 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than SAU (37.3%)

Western Illinois University vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SAU is higher than Western Illinois University (56% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $3,400 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $42,600)
  • Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $661 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($24,043 vs. $24,704)
  • SAU graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($248 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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