Western Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis

Deciding between Western Illinois University and University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Western Illinois University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne, IN
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • University of Saint Francis Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • University of Saint Francis 1,763
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • University of Saint Francis Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • University of Saint Francis #676
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Western Illinois University -
  • University of Saint Francis Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Western Illinois University Non-profit
  • University of Saint Francis Non-profit
  • Website
  • Western Illinois University wiu.edu
  • University of Saint Francis sf.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Western Illinois University
  • University of Saint Francis

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • University of Saint Francis $36,460
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • University of Saint Francis $36,460
  • Room & Board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • University of Saint Francis $11,872
  • Average Net Price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • University of Saint Francis $18,654
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • University of Saint Francis $28,063
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • University of Saint Francis 100%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Western Illinois University Calculate
  • University of Saint Francis Calculate
  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • University of Saint Francis 2,008
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • University of Saint Francis 1,927
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • University of Saint Francis 96%
  • Enrolled
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • University of Saint Francis 21.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • University of Saint Francis 970
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • University of Saint Francis 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • University of Saint Francis 3.37
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • University of Saint Francis B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • University of Saint Francis Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • University of Saint Francis
  • ACT Range
  • Western Illinois University 18/24
  • University of Saint Francis 17/24
  • SAT Range
  • Western Illinois University 880/1090
  • University of Saint Francis 870/1070
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • University of Saint Francis Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • University of Saint Francis

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • University of Saint Francis 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • University of Saint Francis
    • Health Professions (59%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Business (5%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (4%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • University of Saint Francis 54%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • University of Saint Francis $42,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • University of Saint Francis 58%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • University of Saint Francis $25,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • University of Saint Francis $261

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Western Illinois University 41%
  • University of Saint Francis 32%
  • % Women
  • Western Illinois University 59%
  • University of Saint Francis 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Western Illinois University Medium
  • University of Saint Francis Low
  • HBCU
  • Western Illinois University No
  • University of Saint Francis No
  • % White
  • Western Illinois University 62%
  • University of Saint Francis 81%
  • % Asian
  • Western Illinois University 1%
  • University of Saint Francis 1%
  • % Black
  • Western Illinois University 19%
  • University of Saint Francis 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Western Illinois University 11%
  • University of Saint Francis 6%
  • % Native American
  • Western Illinois University 0%
  • University of Saint Francis 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Western Illinois University 0%
  • University of Saint Francis 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Western Illinois University 2%
  • University of Saint Francis 2%
  • % International
  • Western Illinois University 2%
  • University of Saint Francis 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Western Illinois University 2%
  • University of Saint Francis 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Western Illinois University 86%
  • University of Saint Francis 87%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Western Illinois University 13%
  • University of Saint Francis 8%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Western Illinois University Yes
  • University of Saint Francis Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Western Illinois University Yes
  • University of Saint Francis No
  • Meal Plan
  • Western Illinois University Yes
  • University of Saint Francis Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Western Illinois University Yes
  • University of Saint Francis Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Western Illinois University Yes
  • University of Saint Francis No
  • Learn More
  • Western Illinois University Details
  • University of Saint Francis Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than University of Saint Francis based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting).
  • Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne 11:1.

Western Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or University of Saint Francis? 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 University of Saint Francis ($14,208 vs. $18,654).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 4.6% lower than at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne ($11,320 vs. $11,872).
  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is 138.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $21,196 more per year; $36,460.00 vs. $15,264.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 138.9% higher at University of Saint Francis than at Western Illinois University (about $21,196 more per year; $36,460.00 vs. $15,264.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne students is 87.2% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($28,063 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or University of Saint Francis? 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 Saint Francis and Western Illinois University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Illinois University (990) is 20 points higher than at University of Saint Francis (970).
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at University of Saint Francis).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne 870/1070.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne 17/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; University of Saint Francis - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at University of Saint Francis (3.37).
  • University of Saint Francis has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 21.5% at University of Saint Francis.

Western Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and University of Saint Francis? 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).

  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than University of Saint Francis graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $546 lower median loan debt than University of Saint Francis graduates ($24,704 vs. $25,250).
  • Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Saint Francis graduates ($255 vs. $261).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Saint Francis students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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.