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EIU Northern Illinois ISU Southern Illinois University GS Georgia State Indiana State University of West Georgia KSU VSU Clayton State University SIUE| Columbus State University | Western Illinois University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Columbus State | Western Illinois University | ||
| Location | Columbus, GA | Macomb, IL | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 7,479 | 7,643 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #995 | #579 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | columbusstate.edu | wiu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Columbus State | Western Illinois University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,371 | $9,515 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,425 | $9,515 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,080 | $10,500 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,902 | $11,213 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,147 | $15,632 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 94% |
Admission |
Columbus State | Western Illinois University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,870 | 9,219 | ||
| Admitted | 3,398 | 6,914 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 87.8% | 75% | ||
| Enrolled % | 30.4% | 15.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.07 | 3.45 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 16/23 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 900/1130 | 880/1090 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jun 30, 2024 |
Academics |
Columbus State | Western Illinois University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 13:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Columbus State | Western Illinois University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 31% | 53% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,400 | $46,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 37% | 61% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $24,704 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $255 |
Diversity |
Columbus State | Western Illinois University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 40% | 43% | ||
| % Women | 60% | 57% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 51% | 62% | ||
| % Black | 37% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 11% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
Columbus State | Western Illinois University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 92% | 89% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 10% | ||
Campus |
Columbus State | Western Illinois University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | Yes | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Western Illinois University is larger than than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 7,479 students)
Columbus State vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Western Illinois University?
- Western Illinois University is 117.7% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $4,371.00)
- Out of state tuition is 62.1% higher at Columbus State than Western Illinois University ($15,425.00 vs. $9,515.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Columbus State ($11,213 vs. $12,902)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 15% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($10,500 vs. $12,080)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than Western Illinois University (98% vs. 94%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 70.9% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($15,632 vs. $9,147)
Columbus State vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or Western Illinois University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Western Illinois University or Columbus State .
- The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 9 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
- Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Columbus State (20)
- Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
- Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Western Illinois University (75%)
Columbus State vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Columbus State or Western Illinois University? 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 Western Illinois University and Columbus State.
- The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Columbus State University (53% vs. 31%)
- Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $8,600 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $37,400)
- Western Illinois University students graduate with a $1,296 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($24,704 vs. $26,000)
- Western Illinois University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($255 vs. $268)
- More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/