Western Illinois University vs. WKU

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Western Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or WKU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Eastern Murray State University EIU Northern Illinois Kentucky ISU Louisville UTC Southern Illinois University NKU University of Southern Indiana Indiana State
Western Illinois University vs. Western Kentucky University comparison
Western Illinois University Western Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Western Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Western Illinois University WKU
Location Macomb, IL Bowling Green, KY
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 7,643 16,493
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #875
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University WKU
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $27,000
Room & Board $10,500 $11,072
Avg Net Price $11,213 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

 Western Illinois University WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 7,505
Admitted 6,914 7,276
Acceptance Rate 75% 96.9%
Enrolled % 15.5% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/25
SAT Range 880/1090 980/1170
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Western Illinois University WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University WKU
Graduation Rate 53% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $255 $250

Diversity

 Western Illinois University WKU
% Men 43% 37%
% Women 57% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 76%
% Black 19% 10%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Western Illinois University WKU
% In-State 89% 70%
% Out-of-State 10% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or WKU?

  • Western Kentucky University is 16.8% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($11,112.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 183.8% higher at WKU than Western Illinois University ($27,000.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than WKU ($11,213 vs. $12,625)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 5.4% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($10,500 vs. $11,072)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Western Illinois University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 52.4% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($15,632 vs. $10,260)

Western Illinois University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 77 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming WKU 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 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or WKU? 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 WKU and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Western Kentucky University (53% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $8,900 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $454 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $24,704)
  • WKU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($250 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

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