Western Illinois University vs. UWO

Should I go to Western Illinois University or University of Wisconsin Oshkosh? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or UWO is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh comparison
Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin Oshkosh College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
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Overview

Western Illinois University UWO
Location Macomb, IL Oshkosh, WI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 7,643 13,705
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #786
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu uwosh.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University UWO
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $6,422
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $13,995
Room & Board $10,500 $8,894
Avg Net Price $11,213 $12,827
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $4,450
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 87%

Admission

Western Illinois University UWO
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 8,704
Admitted 6,914 7,705
Acceptance Rate 75% 88.5%
Enrolled % 15.5% 22.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/24
SAT Range 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University UWO
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University UWO
Graduation Rate 53% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $44,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 72%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $23,748
Median Loan Payment $255 $245

Diversity

Western Illinois University UWO
% Men 43% 40%
% Women 57% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 87%
% Black 19% 2%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Western Illinois University UWO
% In-State 89% 89%
% Out-of-State 10% 8%

Campus

Western Illinois University UWO
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (13,705 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. UWO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or UWO?

  • Western Illinois University is 48.2% more expensive to attend than UWO for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $6,422.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 47.1% higher at UWO than Western Illinois University ($13,995.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than UWO ($11,213 vs. $12,827)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh are 18.1% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($8,894 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (94% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 251.3% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Oshkosh ($15,632 vs. $4,450)

Western Illinois University vs. UWO Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or UWO? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UWO or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (1030) is 60 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming UWO students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • 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 (88.5%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. UWO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or UWO? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UWO and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (53% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $1,900 more per year than UWO graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $44,100)
  • University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students graduate with a $956 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($23,748 vs. $24,704)
  • UWO graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans 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/