Western Illinois University vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

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

Western Illinois University is larger than Parkside based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Parkside? 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 Parkside than Western Illinois University ($10,234 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 22.7% lower than at Western Illinois University ($8,750 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 84.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkside (about $6,994 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $8,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at Parkside than at Western Illinois University (about $2,165 more per year; $17,429.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Parkside than at Western Illinois University (56% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 97.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($14,994 vs. $7,598).

Western Illinois University vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Parkside).
• 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 Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; Parkside - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Parkside (3.31).
• Parkside has a higher acceptance rate (75.4%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

Western Illinois University vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Parkside? 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 Parkside's (28%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Parkside graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $1,739 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($22,965 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($237 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Parkside students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 54%)

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.