Western Illinois University vs. University of Dubuque

Should I go to Western Illinois University or University of Dubuque? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or University of Dubuque 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. University of Dubuque comparison
Western Illinois University University of Dubuque College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University University of Dubuque
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Overview

Western Illinois University University of Dubuque
Location Macomb, IL Dubuque, IA
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 7,643 1,776
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #756
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu dbq.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University University of Dubuque
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $36,800
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $36,800
Room & Board $10,500 $11,024
Avg Net Price $11,213 $22,879
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $25,005
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Western Illinois University University of Dubuque
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,579
Admitted 6,914 1,343
Acceptance Rate 75% 85.1%
Enrolled % 15.5% 23.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/23
SAT Range 880/1090 828/1070
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University University of Dubuque
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Transportation and Materials Moving (15%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University University of Dubuque
Graduation Rate 53% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $41,800
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $25,674
Median Loan Payment $255 $265

Diversity

Western Illinois University University of Dubuque
% Men 43% 56%
% Women 57% 44%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 63%
% Black 19% 14%
% Hispanic 11% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 6%

Students

Western Illinois University University of Dubuque
% In-State 89% 25%
% Out-of-State 10% 69%

Campus

Western Illinois University University of Dubuque
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than University of Dubuque based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 1,776 students)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Dubuque Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or University of Dubuque?

  • University of Dubuque is 286.8% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($36,800.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 286.8% higher at University of Dubuque than Western Illinois University ($36,800.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than University of Dubuque ($11,213 vs. $22,879)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 5% lower than costs at University of Dubuque ($10,500 vs. $11,024)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Dubuque than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dubuque students is 60% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($25,005 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Dubuque Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 26 points higher than at University of Dubuque (944)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at University of Dubuque (20)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at University of Dubuque (3.24)
  • University of Dubuque has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Dubuque Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or University of Dubuque? 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 University of Dubuque and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than University of Dubuque (53% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $4,200 more per year than University of Dubuque graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $41,800)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $970 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Dubuque graduates. ($24,704 vs. $25,674)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than University of Dubuque graduates. ($255 vs. $265)
  • More University of Dubuque graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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