Western Illinois University vs. UW-Stout

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Stout is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (6,926 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 Stout is in Menomonie, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stout is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Wisconsin Stout 18:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stout are 20.4% lower than at Western Illinois University ($9,008 vs. $11,320).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at UW-Stout than at Western Illinois University (about $4,001 more per year; $19,265 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Illinois University than at University of Wisconsin Stout (53% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 136.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Stout students ($14,994 vs. $6,335).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at UW-Stout than at Western Illinois University (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at UW-Stout.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Stout Sep 1, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at UW-Stout (3.35).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 24.4% at UW-Stout.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $796 lower median loan debt than UW-Stout graduates ($24,704 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Stout graduates ($255 vs. $263).
• More UW-Stout graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation (75% vs. 61%).

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