Western Illinois University vs. UIU

Western Illinois University and Upper Iowa University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Illinois University
Upper Iowa University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 96.5%). Typical SAT 990 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Illinois University. Average net price is $14,208 vs $20,426 at UIU.
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs UIU 45%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs UIU $42,100 (median).
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Key differences

Western Illinois University Upper Iowa University
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
UIU96.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UIU higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
UIU970-1160
Average net price
Western Illinois University $6,218 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
UIU$20,426
In-state tuition
Western Illinois University $4,211 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
UIU$19,475
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $4,211 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
UIU$19,475
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +8 pts
Western Illinois University53%
UIU45%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$3,900
Western Illinois University$46,000
UIU$42,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • UIU 452
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • UIU 436
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • UIU 96.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • UIU 33.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • UIU 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • UIU 17
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • UIU 3.34
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • UIU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • UIU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • UIU
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • UIU 970-1160
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • UIU 14-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • UIU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • UIU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • UIU $19,475
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • UIU $19,475
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • UIU $10,121
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • UIU $20,426
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • UIU $13,596
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • UIU 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • UIU 45%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • UIU $42,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • UIU 50%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • UIU $24,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • UIU $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • UIU 25:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • UIU
    • Business (40%)
    • Human Services (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Education (5%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • UIU Fayette, IA
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • UIU Remote Rural
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • UIU 3,941
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • UIU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • UIU #938

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than UIU based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 3,941 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Upper Iowa University is in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting).
  • Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Upper Iowa University 25:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 10.6% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,121 vs. $11,320).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 27.6% higher at UIU than at Western Illinois University (about $4,211 more per year; $19,475 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Upper Iowa University than at Western Illinois University (97% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 10.3% larger than aid received by Upper Iowa University students ($14,994 vs. $13,596).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Western Illinois University than at UIU (21 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at UIU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at UIU (3.34).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 33.9% at UIU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Upper Iowa University graduates have a $704 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($24,000 vs. $24,704).
  • Among borrowers, UIU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($248 vs. $255).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 50%).

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

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