Western Illinois University vs. Stritch

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Cardinal Stritch University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or Stritch is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Western Illinois University vs. Cardinal Stritch University comparison
Western Illinois University Cardinal Stritch University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University
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Overview

 Western Illinois University Stritch
Location Macomb, IL Milwaukee, WI
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 7,643 1,332
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #561
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu stritch.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University Stritch
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $34,744
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $34,744
Room & Board $10,500 $8,900
Avg Net Price $11,213 $20,002
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $28,670
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

 Western Illinois University Stritch
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 728
Admitted 6,914 674
Acceptance Rate 75% 92.6%
Enrolled % 15.5% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.18
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/21
SAT Range 880/1090 1010/1220
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Western Illinois University Stritch
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (72%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (4%)
  • English and Literature (2%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (1%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University Stritch
Graduation Rate 53% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $52,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $279

Diversity

 Western Illinois University Stritch
% Men 43% 29%
% Women 57% 71%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 54%
% Black 19% 21%
% Hispanic 11% 11%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 Western Illinois University Stritch
% In-State 89% 51%
% Out-of-State 10% 24%

Campus

 Western Illinois University Stritch
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Stritch based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 1,332 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Stritch Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Stritch?

  • Cardinal Stritch University is 265.1% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($34,744.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 265.1% higher at Stritch than Western Illinois University ($34,744.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Stritch ($11,213 vs. $20,002)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cardinal Stritch University are 18% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($8,900 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cardinal Stritch University than Western Illinois University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cardinal Stritch University students is 83.4% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($28,670 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. Stritch Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Stritch? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Stritch or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Cardinal Stritch University (1028) is 58 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Stritch students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Stritch (3.18)
  • Stritch has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Stritch Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Stritch? 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 Stritch and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Stritch is higher than Western Illinois University (55% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Cardinal Stritch University earn on average $6,500 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($52,500 vs. $46,000)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $2,296 lower median federal student loan debt than Stritch graduates. ($24,704 vs. $27,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Stritch graduates. ($255 vs. $279)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stritch students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/