Aurora University vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Aurora University in Aurora, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Aurora University based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 5,923 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aurora University is located in Aurora, IL (Large Suburban setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Aurora University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aurora University 18:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 16.6% lower than at Aurora University ($11,320 vs. $13,580).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.1% higher at Aurora University than at Western Illinois University (about $13,906 more per year; $29,170 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aurora University than at Western Illinois University (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aurora University students is 43.5% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($21,513 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Aurora University than at Western Illinois University (25 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Aurora University, test-free at Western Illinois University.
• Enrolled first-year students at Aurora University average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Aurora University vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aurora University graduates have a $2,367 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($22,337 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Aurora University graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($230 vs. $255).
• More Aurora University 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.