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 table 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.

Western Illinois University vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire ($14,208 vs. $15,151).
• 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).
• Western Illinois University is 58.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Eau Claire (about $5,622 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $9,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26% higher at UW-Eau Claire than at Western Illinois University (about $3,964 more per year; $19,228.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• 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).

Western Illinois University vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and Western Illinois University.

• Incoming UW-Eau Claire students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Western Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; UW-Eau Claire - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• UW-Eau Claire has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 28.1% at UW-Eau Claire.

Western Illinois University vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and UW-Eau Claire? 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.