Western Illinois University vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

Western Illinois University vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or AQ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than AQ ($14,208 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 3.1% lower than at Aquinas College ($11,320 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 163.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $24,954 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.5% higher at AQ than at Western Illinois University (about $24,954 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 123.7% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($33,535 vs. $14,994).

Western Illinois University vs. AQ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or AQ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between AQ and Western Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 40 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming AQ students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Western Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 11.8% at AQ.

Western Illinois University vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and AQ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $1,296 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($24,704 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($255 vs. $268).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.