Blackburn College vs. Western Illinois University

Blackburn College and Western Illinois University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Blackburn College
Western Illinois University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Blackburn College (63.2% admitted vs 71.2%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 990.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Illinois University. Average net price is $14,208 vs $18,460 at Blackburn College.
  • Graduation: Blackburn College 48% vs Western Illinois University 53%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Blackburn College $40,400 vs Western Illinois University $46,000 (median).
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Key differences

Blackburn College Western Illinois University
Acceptance rate
Blackburn College more selective
Blackburn College63.2%
Western Illinois University71.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Blackburn College higher
Blackburn College888-1125
Western Illinois University880-1090
Average net price
Western Illinois University $4,252 less
Blackburn College$18,460
Western Illinois University$14,208
In-state tuition
Western Illinois University $12,885 less
Blackburn College$28,149
Western Illinois University$15,264
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $12,885 less
Blackburn College$28,149
Western Illinois University$15,264
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +5 pts
Blackburn College48%
Western Illinois University53%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$5,600
Blackburn College$40,400
Western Illinois University$46,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Blackburn College 910
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • Admitted
  • Blackburn College 575
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • Acceptance rate
  • Blackburn College 63.2%
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Blackburn College 25.7%
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Blackburn College 1010
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • Blackburn College 20
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Blackburn College 3.23
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • Typical high school grades
  • Blackburn College B+
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Blackburn College Very Easy
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Blackburn College Low
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • SAT range
  • Blackburn College 888-1125
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • ACT range
  • Blackburn College 16-24
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Blackburn College Test-free
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Blackburn College
  • Western Illinois University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Blackburn College $28,149
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Blackburn College $28,149
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Room & board
  • Blackburn College $9,915
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • Average net price
  • Blackburn College $18,460
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • Average grant aid
  • Blackburn College $19,456
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Blackburn College 100%
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Graduation rate
  • Blackburn College 48%
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Blackburn College $40,400
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Blackburn College 58%
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Blackburn College $26,000
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • Median loan payment
  • Blackburn College $268
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Blackburn College 11:1
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Blackburn College
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (18%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • Blackburn College Carlinville, IL
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • Setting
  • Blackburn College Rural Fringe
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Blackburn College 513
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • Type
  • Blackburn College Private 4 Year
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Blackburn College
  • Western Illinois University #571

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, 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 Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 513 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
  • Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 12.4% lower than at Western Illinois University ($9,915 vs. $11,320).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 84.4% higher at Blackburn College than at Western Illinois University (about $12,885 more per year; $28,149 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($19,456 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Western Illinois University than at Blackburn College (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Blackburn College and Western Illinois University.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at Blackburn College (3.23).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $1,296 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($24,704 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($255 vs. $268).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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