Western Illinois University vs. WSSU

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Winston Salem State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or WSSU 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
Western Illinois University vs. Winston Salem State University comparison
Western Illinois University Winston Salem State University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Winston Salem State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Western Illinois University WSSU
Location Macomb, IL Winston-Salem, NC
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,643 5,004
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #956
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu wssu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University WSSU
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $3,401
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $14,057
Room & Board $10,500 $11,220
Avg Net Price $11,213 $14,097
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $8,350
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 86%

Admission

Western Illinois University WSSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 7,628
Admitted 6,914 5,598
Acceptance Rate 75% 73.4%
Enrolled % 15.5% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.01
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 14/19
SAT Range 880/1090 830/1050
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University WSSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (50%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University WSSU
Graduation Rate 53% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $35,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $25,663
Median Loan Payment $255 $265

Diversity

Western Illinois University WSSU
% Men 43% 24%
% Women 57% 76%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 62% 16%
% Black 19% 72%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Western Illinois University WSSU
% In-State 89% 82%
% Out-of-State 10% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than WSSU based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 5,004 students)

Western Illinois University vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 179.8% more expensive to attend than WSSU for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $3,401.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 47.7% higher at WSSU than Western Illinois University ($14,057.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than WSSU ($11,213 vs. $14,097)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 6.9% lower than costs at Winston Salem State University ($10,500 vs. $11,220)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Winston Salem State University (94% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 87.2% larger than aid received Winston Salem State University ($15,632 vs. $8,350)

Western Illinois University vs. WSSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 100 points higher than at WSSU (870)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at WSSU (18)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at WSSU (3.01)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than WSSU (73.4%)

Western Illinois University vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Winston Salem State University (53% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $10,300 more per year than WSSU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $35,700)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $959 lower median federal student loan debt than WSSU graduates. ($24,704 vs. $25,663)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than WSSU graduates. ($255 vs. $265)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 33%)

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