Western Illinois University vs. VSU

Western Illinois University and Virginia State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Illinois University
Virginia State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 88.6%). Typical SAT 990 vs 960.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Illinois University. Average net price is $14,208 vs $17,840 at VSU.
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs VSU 40%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs VSU $36,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Illinois University Virginia State University
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
VSU88.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Illinois University higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
VSU840-1070
Average net price
Western Illinois University $3,632 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
VSU$17,840
In-state tuition
VSU $5,221 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
VSU$10,043
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $7,386 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
VSU$22,650
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +13 pts
Western Illinois University53%
VSU40%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$9,300
Western Illinois University$46,000
VSU$36,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Western Illinois University and VSU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Western Illinois University Check my chances at VSU
  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • VSU 11,775
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • VSU 10,436
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • VSU 88.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • VSU 14.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • VSU 960
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • VSU 17
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • VSU 2.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • VSU B
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • VSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • VSU
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • VSU 840-1070
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • VSU 14-20
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • VSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • VSU May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • VSU $10,043
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • VSU $22,650
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • VSU $13,355
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • VSU $17,840
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • VSU $12,447
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • VSU 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • VSU 40%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • VSU $36,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • VSU 28%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • VSU $29,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • VSU $305
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • VSU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • VSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • VSU Petersburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • VSU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • VSU 5,605
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • VSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • VSU #950

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 5,605 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 15.2% lower than at Virginia State University ($11,320 vs. $13,355).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 48.4% higher at VSU than at Western Illinois University (about $7,386 more per year; $22,650 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Western Illinois University (92% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($14,994 vs. $12,447).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Western Illinois University than at VSU (21 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at VSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.6 higher than at VSU (2.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $4,796 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($24,704 vs. $29,500).
  • Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($255 vs. $305).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 28%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Western Illinois University
Virginia State University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges