Western Illinois University vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with William Woods University in Fulton, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than WWU based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 2,046 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; William Woods University 16:1.

Western Illinois University vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or WWU? 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 Illinois University than WWU ($14,208 vs. $27,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 13.3% lower than at William Woods University ($11,320 vs. $13,050).
• William Woods University is 98.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $15,076 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.8% higher at WWU than at Western Illinois University (about $15,076 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Woods University than at Western Illinois University (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 48.1% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($22,204 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or WWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WWU and Western Illinois University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at WWU (3.4).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than WWU (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 23.6% at WWU.

Western Illinois University vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and WWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than William Woods University's (50%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than WWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $3,267 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($21,437 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($221 vs. $255).
• More WWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.