Western Illinois University vs. Bowie State University

Comparable Facts

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

Bowie State University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Bowie State University is in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Bowie State University 15:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 7.5% lower than at Bowie State University ($11,320 vs. $12,241).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at Bowie State University than at Western Illinois University (about $4,674 more per year; $19,938 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowie State University than at Western Illinois University (54% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 119.9% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($14,994 vs. $6,819).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at Bowie State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.33 higher than at Bowie State University (3.12).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 27.3% at Bowie State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $313 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($24,391 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($252 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 29%).

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