Western Illinois University vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 6,332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Western Illinois University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or WKU? 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 Western Kentucky University than Western Illinois University ($12,548 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 10% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,320 vs. $12,582).
• Western Illinois University is 31% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $3,612 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.9% higher at WKU than at Western Illinois University (about $11,736 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Western Illinois University (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 37.3% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($14,994 vs. $10,921).

Western Illinois University vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or WKU? 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 WKU and Western Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Illinois University (990) is 40 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• 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 (93.9%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Western Illinois University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and WKU? 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).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $454 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.