Western Illinois University vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with University of Houston Downtown in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston Downtown is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (13,730 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 Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

Western Illinois University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston Downtown than Western Illinois University ($10,832 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 10.1% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,176 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 98% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $7,556 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at University of Houston-Downtown than at Western Illinois University (about $2,284 more per year; $17,548.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston Downtown than at Western Illinois University (84% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 46.2% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($14,994 vs. $10,257).

Western Illinois University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston-Downtown and Western Illinois University.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Downtown (1030) is 40 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at University of Houston-Downtown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• University of Houston-Downtown has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

Western Illinois University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and University of Houston-Downtown? 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 Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $5,954 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($18,750 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($193 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 41%)

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.