Illinois Wesleyan University vs Western Illinois University
Illinois Wesleyan University is a private university in Bloomington, IL, and Western Illinois University is a public university in Macomb, IL. Illinois Wesleyan University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 39% of applicants against 71% at Western Illinois University. Western Illinois University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $12,937 a year against $28,199 at Illinois Wesleyan University. About 78% of students graduate at Illinois Wesleyan University, compared with 45% at Western Illinois University. Ten years after enrolling, Illinois Wesleyan University alumni earn a median of about $70,871, against $54,163 for Western Illinois University.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Bloomington, IL
Macomb, IL
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,582
4,410
Acceptance rate
39%
71%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–4
3.3–3.8
SAT (middle 50%)
1120–1340
880–1090
ACT (middle 50%)
25–30
18–24
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,199
$12,937
Full cost / yr
$70,700
$28,254
In-state tuition
$57,704
$15,264
Out-of-state tuition
$57,704
$15,264
Application fee
$0
$30
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$17,732
$6,941
$30k - $48k
$19,057
$8,787
$48k - $75k
$23,152
$12,062
$75k - $110k
$27,396
$16,294
Over $110k
$37,104
$19,701
Outcomes
Graduation rate
78%
45%
Freshman retention
80%
61%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$56,082
$43,057
Median earnings (10 yr)
$70,871
$54,163
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$25,251
Student body
Pell grant recipients
26%
28%
First-generation students
18%
38%
International students
5%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Feb 1
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Illinois Wesleyan University or Western Illinois University harder to get into?
- Illinois Wesleyan University is harder to get into. It admits about 39% of applicants, compared with 71% at Western Illinois University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Illinois Wesleyan University or Western Illinois University?
- Western Illinois University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,937 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,199 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Illinois Wesleyan University and Western Illinois University?
- Before aid, Western Illinois University costs about $28,254 a year and Illinois Wesleyan University about $70,700. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Illinois Wesleyan University or Western Illinois University?
- Western Illinois University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $6,941 there, against about $17,732 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Illinois Wesleyan University or Western Illinois University?
- Western Illinois University is the larger of the two, with about 4,410 undergraduates against 1,582 at Illinois Wesleyan University.
- Does Illinois Wesleyan University or Western Illinois University have a better graduation rate?
- Illinois Wesleyan University has the higher graduation rate, at about 78% against 45% at Western Illinois University.
- Do graduates of Illinois Wesleyan University or Western Illinois University earn more?
- Illinois Wesleyan University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $70,871 ten years after enrolling, against about $54,163 for Western Illinois University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Illinois Wesleyan University and Western Illinois University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Illinois Wesleyan University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Western Illinois University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Illinois Wesleyan University and Western Illinois University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1120–1340 at Illinois Wesleyan University and 880–1090 at Western Illinois University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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