Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
EIU Northern Illinois ISU Southern Illinois University USC Beaufort ASU Indiana State SIUE University of Illinois at Springfield Central UIC Lander University| Western Illinois University | University of South Carolina Aiken | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Western Illinois University | USC Aiken | ||
| Location | Macomb, IL | Aiken, SC | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 7,073 | 3,855 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #663 | #883 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wiu.edu | usca.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Western Illinois University | USC Aiken | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,801 | $10,398 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,801 | $20,856 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,920 | $8,736 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,168 | $11,697 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $15,620 | $9,701 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 53% | 98% |
Admission |
Western Illinois University | USC Aiken | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 8,479 | 2,905 | ||
| Admitted | 6,356 | 2,316 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 75% | 79.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.2% | 26.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.45 | 3.19 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 17/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 880/1090 | 970/1200 | ||
| 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 | 14:1 | 15:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
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 | 12% | 6% | ||
| % Women | 17% | 13% | ||
| 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 | 90% | 88% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 8% | 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 (7,073 students vs. 3,855 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 6.1% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($10,398.00 vs. $9,801.00)
- Out of state tuition is 112.8% higher at USC Aiken than Western Illinois University ($20,856.00 vs. $9,801.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than Western Illinois University ($11,697 vs. $12,168)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 25% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($8,736 vs. $10,920)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than Western Illinois University (98% vs. 53%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 61% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($15,620 vs. $9,701)
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 (79.7%) 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/