Western Illinois University vs. UWM

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

Western Illinois University UWM
Location Macomb, IL Milwaukee, WI
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 7,643 22,676
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #840
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu uwm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University UWM
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $8,091
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $19,956
Room & Board $10,500 $10,896
Avg Net Price $11,213 $16,551
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $5,963
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 78%

Admission

Western Illinois University UWM
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 16,852
Admitted 6,914 14,546
Acceptance Rate 75% 86.3%
Enrolled % 15.5% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.16
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/24
SAT Range 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Sep 1, 2023

Academics

Western Illinois University UWM
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University UWM
Graduation Rate 53% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $24,958
Median Loan Payment $255 $258

Diversity

Western Illinois University UWM
% Men 43% 44%
% Women 57% 56%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 68%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Western Illinois University UWM
% In-State 89% 87%
% Out-of-State 10% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (22,676 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. UWM Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 17.6% more expensive to attend than UWM for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $8,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 109.7% higher at UWM than Western Illinois University ($19,956.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than UWM ($11,213 vs. $16,551)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 3.8% lower than costs at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($10,500 vs. $10,896)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (94% vs. 78%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 162.1% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($15,632 vs. $5,963)

Western Illinois University vs. UWM Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (1050) is 80 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming UWM students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at UWM (3.16)
  • UWM has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (53% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn on average $100 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $46,000)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $254 lower median federal student loan debt than UWM graduates. ($24,704 vs. $24,958)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than UWM graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

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