Western Illinois University vs. UWO

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (12,953 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 Oshkosh is in Oshkosh, WI (Small City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 22:1.

Western Illinois University vs. UWO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or UWO? 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 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh than Western Illinois University ($12,500 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh are 16.9% lower than at Western Illinois University ($9,410 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 78.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWO (about $6,732 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $8,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at UWO than at Western Illinois University (about $1,182 more per year; $16,446.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Illinois University than at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (53% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 127% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students ($14,994 vs. $6,605).

Western Illinois University vs. UWO Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Western Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UWO (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 Oshkosh 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; UWO - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at UWO (3.24).
• UWO has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 21.4% at UWO.

Western Illinois University vs. UWO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and UWO? 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 Oshkosh's (50%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than UWO graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates have a $956 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($23,748 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, UWO graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($245 vs. $255).
• More UWO graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.