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 tables 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.

Cost details

• 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).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.7% higher at UWM than at Western Illinois University (about $7,134 more per year; $22,398 vs. $15,264).
• 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).

Admissions details

• Incoming Western Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at UWM (21).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at UWM.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at UWM (3.16).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 23.8% at UWM.

Loans and repayment

• 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.