Western Illinois University vs. UWSP

Should I go to Western Illinois University or University of Wisconsin Stevens Point? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or UWSP 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 Stevens Point comparison
Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin Stevens Point College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
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Overview

Western Illinois University UWSP
Location Macomb, IL Stevens Point, WI
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,643 7,964
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #860
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu uwsp.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University UWSP
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $6,698
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $15,402
Room & Board $10,500 $8,000
Avg Net Price $11,213 $13,702
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $4,169
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 98%

Admission

Western Illinois University UWSP
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 8,120
Admitted 6,914 7,231
Acceptance Rate 75% 89.1%
Enrolled % 15.5% 23.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.27
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 Sep 1, 2024

Academics

Western Illinois University UWSP
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 21:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University UWSP
Graduation Rate 53% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $41,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $24,360
Median Loan Payment $255 $251

Diversity

Western Illinois University UWSP
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
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% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Western Illinois University UWSP
% In-State 89% 90%
% Out-of-State 10% 10%

Campus

Western Illinois University UWSP
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 Stevens Point is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (7,964 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. UWSP Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 42.1% more expensive to attend than UWSP for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $6,698.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 61.9% higher at UWSP than Western Illinois University ($15,402.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than UWSP ($11,213 vs. $13,702)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point are 31.2% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($8,000 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point than Western Illinois University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 275% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Stevens Point ($15,632 vs. $4,169)

Western Illinois University vs. UWSP Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (1050) is 80 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming UWSP students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at UWSP (3.27)
  • UWSP has a higher acceptance rate (89.1%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. UWSP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or UWSP? 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 UWSP and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at UWSP is higher than Western Illinois University (61% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $4,300 more per year than UWSP graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $41,700)
  • University of Wisconsin Stevens Point students graduate with a $344 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($24,360 vs. $24,704)
  • UWSP graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/