Western Illinois University vs. MSU

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Midwestern State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or MSU 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.

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Western Illinois University vs. Midwestern State University comparison
Western Illinois University Midwestern State University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Midwestern State University
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Overview

Western Illinois University MSU
Location Macomb, IL Wichita Falls, TX
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,643 5,784
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #817
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu mwsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University MSU
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $5,877
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $7,827
Room & Board $10,500 $10,046
Avg Net Price $11,213 $11,361
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $10,643
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Western Illinois University MSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 5,507
Admitted 6,914 5,090
Acceptance Rate 75% 92.4%
Enrolled % 15.5% 15.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.2
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 16/22
SAT Range 880/1090 910/1100
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University MSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (32%)
  • Business (22%)
  • General Studies (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University MSU
Graduation Rate 53% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $44,300
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $22,299
Median Loan Payment $255 $230

Diversity

Western Illinois University MSU
% Men 43% 36%
% Women 57% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 52%
% Black 19% 14%
% Hispanic 11% 17%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 9%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Western Illinois University MSU
% In-State 89% 94%
% Out-of-State 10% 3%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 5,784 students)

Western Illinois University vs. MSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 61.9% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $5,877.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.6% higher at Western Illinois University than Midwestern State University ($9,515.00 vs. $7,827.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than MSU ($11,213 vs. $11,361)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 4.5% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($10,046 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Midwestern State University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 46.9% larger than aid received Midwestern State University ($15,632 vs. $10,643)

Western Illinois University vs. MSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Midwestern State University (1002) is 32 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming MSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at MSU (3.2)
  • MSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Midwestern State University (53% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $1,700 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $44,300)
  • Midwestern State University students graduate with a $2,405 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($22,299 vs. $24,704)
  • MSU graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($230 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 56%)

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