Western Illinois University vs. UWSP

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (8,233 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 Stevens Point is in Stevens Point, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 21:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point are 22.3% lower than at Western Illinois University ($8,800 vs. $11,320).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at UWSP than at Western Illinois University (about $3,244 more per year; $18,508 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point than at Western Illinois University (79% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 199% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Stevens Point students ($14,994 vs. $5,014).

Admissions details

• Incoming Western Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at UWSP (21).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at UWSP.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWSP Sep 1, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at UWSP (3.27).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 23.5% at UWSP.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates have a $344 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($24,360 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, UWSP graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($251 vs. $255).
• More UWSP graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 61%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.