Western Illinois University vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (22,450 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 Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

Western Illinois University vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or UWM? 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 UWM ($14,208 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 3.1% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($11,320 vs. $11,684).
• Western Illinois University is 46.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWM (about $4,866 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $10,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.7% higher at UWM than at Western Illinois University (about $7,134 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at Western Illinois University (91% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 136.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($14,994 vs. $6,347).

Western Illinois University vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or UWM? 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 UWM and Western Illinois University.

• Incoming Western Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UWM (21).
• 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 Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 23.8% at UWM.

Western Illinois University vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and UWM? 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).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $100 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $254 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($24,704 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($255 vs. $258).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.