Overview
Enrollment
Western Illinois University (WIU), located in Macomb, Illinois, is a public university founded in 1899. The campus offers a rural setting approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities and about 60 miles from Peoria, offering students the tranquility of a small-town atmosphere with access to urban amenities. Known for its sprawling, scenic surroundings and traditional architecture, WIU provides a conducive environment for academic pursuits. The university offers a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs with particular recognition in fields such as law enforcement and justice administration, agriculture, and business. With a moderately selective admissions process, WIU attracts a diverse student body seeking both academic rigor and a variety of extracurricular activities. The university supports residential students with on-campus housing options ranging from traditional residence halls to apartment-style living. While WIU's athletic teams, known as the Leathernecks, compete in the NCAA Division I Summit League, the institution is not predominantly known for its athletics.
In the most recent statistical year 9,219 prospective students applied, and 6,914 were granted admission. Of those admitted 1,074 enrolled in the school. 5,736 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 1,907 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $9,515 plus fees of $4,891. Western Illinois University is ranked 579 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Western Illinois University is rated within the top 50% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Western Illinois University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#579 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#182 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#29 in Best Colleges in Illinois
#8 in Best Public Colleges in Illinois
#114 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#9 in Best Value Colleges in Illinois
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 880/1090 |
| ACT | 18/24 |
| GPA | 3.45 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $30 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $4,891 |
| Room and Board | $10,500 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,021 |
| Total One Year Cost | $28,127 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 16% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 14% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 12% |
| Education | 8% |
| Communication | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Western Illinois University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Western Illinois University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=149772 IPEDS survey data for Western Illinois University.
Current students may use the Western Illinois University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024