Western Illinois University vs. Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Missouri is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (12,857 students vs. 6,332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); University of Central Missouri is in Warrensburg, MO (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Missouri is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Central Missouri 18:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Central? 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 Central ($14,208 vs. $14,943).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 5.1% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,740 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 51.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central (about $5,214 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $10,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at Central than at Western Illinois University (about $3,336 more per year; $18,600.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Missouri than at Western Illinois University (96% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 92% larger than aid received by University of Central Missouri students ($14,994 vs. $7,811).

Western Illinois University vs. Central Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Central students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at 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; University of Central Missouri 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; Central - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Central (63.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 28.6% at Central.

Western Illinois University vs. Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Central? 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 University of Central Missouri's (50%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Central graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Missouri graduates have a $2,263 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($22,441 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Central graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($232 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.