Western Illinois University vs. UT Permian Basin

Should I go to Western Illinois University or The University of Texas of the Permian Basin? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or UT Permian Basin 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. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin comparison
Western Illinois University The University of Texas of the Permian Basin College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
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Overview

 Western Illinois University UT Permian Basin
Location Macomb, IL Odessa, TX
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 7,643 5,848
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #777
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu utpb.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University UT Permian Basin
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $6,577
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $18,817
Room & Board $10,500 $10,668
Avg Net Price $11,213 $10,370
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $11,092
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 96%

Admission

 Western Illinois University UT Permian Basin
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,475
Admitted 6,914 1,397
Acceptance Rate 75% 94.7%
Enrolled % 15.5% 48.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.27
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 16/21
SAT Range 880/1090 910/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 23, 2025

Academics

 Western Illinois University UT Permian Basin
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Work and Family Studies (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University UT Permian Basin
Graduation Rate 53% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $51,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $13,655
Median Loan Payment $255 $141

Diversity

 Western Illinois University UT Permian Basin
% Men 43% 39%
% Women 57% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 40%
% Black 19% 7%
% Hispanic 11% 46%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Western Illinois University UT Permian Basin
% In-State 89% 89%
% Out-of-State 10% 3%

Campus

 Western Illinois University UT Permian Basin
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than UT Permian Basin based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 5,848 students)

Western Illinois University vs. UT Permian Basin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or UT Permian Basin?

  • Western Illinois University is 44.7% more expensive to attend than UT Permian Basin for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $6,577.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 97.8% higher at UT Permian Basin than Western Illinois University ($18,817.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin than Western Illinois University ($10,370 vs. $11,213)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 1.6% lower than costs at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin ($10,500 vs. $10,668)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin than Western Illinois University (96% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 40.9% larger than aid received The University of Texas of the Permian Basin ($15,632 vs. $11,092)

Western Illinois University vs. UT Permian Basin Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 5 points higher than at UT Permian Basin (965)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at UT Permian Basin (20)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at UT Permian Basin (3.27)
  • UT Permian Basin has a higher acceptance rate (94.7%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. UT Permian Basin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or UT Permian Basin? 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 UT Permian Basin and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (53% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin earn on average $5,000 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $46,000)
  • The University of Texas of the Permian Basin students graduate with a $11,049 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($13,655 vs. $24,704)
  • UT Permian Basin graduates are paying $114 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($141 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Permian Basin students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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