Western Illinois University vs. USC Aiken

Should I go to Western Illinois University or University of South Carolina Aiken? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or USC Aiken is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western Illinois University vs. University of South Carolina Aiken comparison
Western Illinois University University of South Carolina Aiken College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University
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Overview

Western Illinois University USC Aiken
Location Macomb, IL Aiken, SC
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 7,643 3,840
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #888
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu usca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University USC Aiken
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $10,398
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $20,856
Room & Board $10,500 $8,376
Avg Net Price $11,213 $11,872
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $9,891
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Western Illinois University USC Aiken
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 2,453
Admitted 6,914 1,855
Acceptance Rate 75% 75.6%
Enrolled % 15.5% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.19
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/24
SAT Range 880/1090 950/1180
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University USC Aiken
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University USC Aiken
Graduation Rate 53% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $39,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $268

Diversity

Western Illinois University USC Aiken
% Men 43% 36%
% Women 57% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 58%
% Black 19% 27%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Western Illinois University USC Aiken
% In-State 89% 87%
% Out-of-State 10% 11%

Campus

Western Illinois University USC Aiken
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 3,840 students)

Western Illinois University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or USC Aiken?

  • University of South Carolina Aiken is 9.3% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($10,398.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 119.2% higher at USC Aiken than Western Illinois University ($20,856.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than USC Aiken ($11,213 vs. $11,872)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 25.4% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($8,376 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 58% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($15,632 vs. $9,891)

Western Illinois University vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or USC Aiken? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USC Aiken or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Aiken (976) is 6 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at USC Aiken (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
  • USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (75.6%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or USC Aiken? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between USC Aiken and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken (53% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $6,400 more per year than USC Aiken graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $39,600)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $1,296 lower median federal student loan debt than USC Aiken graduates. ($24,704 vs. $26,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than USC Aiken graduates. ($255 vs. $268)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/