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 tables 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.

Cost details

• 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).
• 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 vs. $15,264).
• 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).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Western Illinois University than at University of Houston-Downtown (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, open admission at University of Houston-Downtown.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

Loans and repayment

• 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.