Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (11,746 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 Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Whitewater than Western Illinois University ($12,709 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 28.5% lower than at Western Illinois University ($8,090 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 77.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $6,648 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater than at Western Illinois University (about $3,452 more per year; $18,716.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Illinois University than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (53% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 163.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($14,994 vs. $5,685).

Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Western Illinois University.

• Incoming Western Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (21).
• 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 Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• 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 (85.7%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

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

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Whitewater's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $267 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($24,704 vs. $24,971).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.