Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

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

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Location Macomb, IL Whitewater, WI
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,073 11,519
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #663 #834
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu uww.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Tuition (In State) $9,801 $6,812
Tuition (Out of State) $9,801 $16,478
Room & Board $10,920 $7,770
Avg Net Price $12,168 $13,670
Avg Grant Aid $15,620 $4,087
% Receiving Grant Aid 53% 61%

Admission

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,479 11,190
Admitted 6,356 9,261
Acceptance Rate 75% 82.8%
Enrolled % 15.2% 23.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.3
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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (36%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Graduation Rate 53% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $24,971
Median Loan Payment $255 $258

Diversity

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
% Men 12% 6%
% Women 17% 9%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 82%
% Black 19% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
% In-State 90% 84%
% Out-of-State 8% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (11,519 students vs. 7,073 students)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater?

  • Western Illinois University is 43.9% more expensive to attend than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for in-state tuition ($9,801.00 vs. $6,812.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 68.1% higher at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater than Western Illinois University ($16,478.00 vs. $9,801.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($12,168 vs. $13,670)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 40.5% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($7,770 vs. $10,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Wisconsin Whitewater than Western Illinois University (61% vs. 53%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 282.2% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Whitewater ($15,620 vs. $4,087)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (1050) is 80 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 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 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3)
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has a higher acceptance rate (82.8%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is higher than Western Illinois University (54% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $1,400 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $44,600)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $267 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates. ($24,704 vs. $24,971)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/