Western Illinois University vs. UW-Eau Claire

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (10,049 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire is in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 20.7% lower than at Western Illinois University ($8,978 vs. $11,320).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26% higher at UW-Eau Claire than at Western Illinois University (about $3,964 more per year; $19,228 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Illinois University than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (53% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 164.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($14,994 vs. $5,663).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at UW-Eau Claire than at Western Illinois University (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at UW-Eau Claire.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at UW-Eau Claire average a 3.59 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 28.1% at UW-Eau Claire.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates have a $1,454 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, UW-Eau Claire graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($240 vs. $255).
• More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 61%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.