Western Illinois University vs. Blue Ash

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College in Blue Ash, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (7,787 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 Cincinnati Blue Ash College is in Blue Ash, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College 19:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Blue Ash Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Blue Ash? 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 Blue Ash ($14,208 vs. $15,882).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 16.5% lower than at University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ($11,320 vs. $13,564).
• Western Illinois University is 112% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blue Ash (about $8,064 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $7,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Blue Ash than at Western Illinois University (about $734 more per year; $15,998.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College than at Western Illinois University (67% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 161.7% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College students ($14,994 vs. $5,729).

Western Illinois University vs. Blue Ash Admissions comparison

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

• University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; Blue Ash - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Blue Ash Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Blue Ash (2.91).

Western Illinois University vs. Blue Ash Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Blue Ash? 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).

• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Blue Ash graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College graduates have a $1,704 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Blue Ash graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($237 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blue Ash students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 57%)

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.